Politicising the police

By MS Uddin, Kyoto, Japan
10 April 2004, 18:00 PM
The country is facing an extreme deterioration of law and order . Every day the newspapers are full of news of extortion, killings, smuggling and violence. Crime rate is increasing day by day. The people are living in a state of insecurity and fear. We have witnessed that police often act in favour of the criminals for monetary benefits. Innocent people are either threatened or implicated in criminal cases instead of the real criminals, as there is a nexus between the police and the criminals.

Corruption is widespread in the police department. In the most recent case, smugglers were unloading the largest ever arms cache on the Karnaphuli coast in Chittagong with the direct help from local police! However, our government is always blaming the opposition for every kind of crime. The people gave their verdict in favour of the ruling alliance for eradication of crime and corruption and to let them live in peace. So, I think it is the prime responsibility of the government to arrest the criminals and bring them to justice, irrespective of party affiliations, for the greater benefit of the nation without blaming the opposition. Police always investigate police crimes; as a result the truth remains in darkness. An independent ombudsman is a must.

Where are we heading for ? More than thirty years have passed since we became independent; however, we are still fighting for our minimum basic needs.

I urge the government to stop politicisation of the police department and take stern punitive actions against police officials who are involved in criminal activities. Please let people live in peace.