Extortionists at work!

By S Islam, Dhaka
23 May 2004, 18:00 PM
I can very well imagine the mental state of the writer 'Truly Terrified' (DS, 19.05.04). The dreadful reality is that the extortionists are operating here (in connivance with the administration and law enforcers, of course!). The government will never realise the plight of the people receiving calls for 'chada'.

This is where all successive governments have failed miserably. For how long do we have to suffer at the hands of our politicians who patronise these criminals? Why don't the police provide security to the citizens of this country? Our ministers at every given opportunity lament over an under-staffed police force and lack of sate funds. When victims (of rape and extortion) approach police, they seldom receive the cooperation which they rightly deserve -- rather the police harass the victims or are unwilling to accept cases even when the criminals are identified. Has this anything to do with funds or manpower limitations? The problem is not manpower or fund constraint but good governance.

The bottom line is, Bangladesh is turning into a criminals' den and lawlessness is becoming UNBEARABLE! We do not expect much from the government in terms of citizens' rights and benefits but we strongly demand that it MUST ensure the security of its citizens.