'Gunfight' deaths

Yet another person has lost his life in what is described as a 'gunfight' between the Rapid Action Battalion and the dead. The dead is an accused in the most gruesome murder of four young boys in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj district on February 12. 

The circumstances of the death of the accused, in a so called gunfight, raise several questions in our mind, particularly because of the general impression created in the psyche of the people since the very inception of the special force regarding 'crossfire' and  'gunfights'.

We are constrained to suggest that crossfire and gunfight killings have put a blot on Rab's performance which is generally acknowledged as noteworthy, particularly in the matter of internal security. If Bangladesh has earned international acclaim for its successful efforts in combating the extremists and terrorists in the country, the greater part of the credit must duly go to Rab for its performance in anticipating and neutralising these groups.

Admittedly, incidents of crossfire has reduced considerably, but when the victim happens to be an important witness in a horrific and sensational murder case, it gives one the impression that such killings are a way of circumventing the due legal process.

It should not be lost upon the security agencies that cross fire incidents have drawn international attention and have become international issue. And one death is one too many, especially those that occur under questionable circumstances. It would be our expectation that Rab would devote all its efforts to bring down the number of 'cross fire' deaths to absolute zero.