Investigating the bomb blasts

There is no doubt that these explosions, despite the suspected or alleged identity of the mischief-makers do create an unpalatable impression about Bangladesh. It may be relevant to mention here that elsewhere in the world including the highly technologically advanced countries, the investigation of such cases have not been foolproof and at times there have been unpardonable and almost criminal lapses by investigating agencies of those countries. In the recent past, in U.K, during the national convention of a major political party in a seaside city a massive explosion occurred that resulted in multiple injuries. The case relating to the incident was investigated by the best of the British investigating agencies about whose excellence and expertise we are all too often eloquent.

However, much to the dismay and discomfiture of the establishment it was found in subsequent times that criminal charges initially established and accepted were against persons who were not the actual culprits and that investigators were less than honest. In a neighbouring country, in the 80's when there were several cases of bomb blasts and explosions, the investigating agency mostly tried to raise the accusing finger towards some members of a particular faith although such accusations were not always supported by credible evidence.

Comments and effects
Mention of the above few instances of failure amongst many has not been made with a view to justifying the alleged inertia or incapacity of any agency in our parlance but to highlight the delicacy and complexity associated with the investigation of cases pertaining to bomb blast and mischief by explosive substances. While the public's right to be informed cannot be denied and the nation's concern for the safety and security of innocent lives cannot be brushed aside, we will perhaps do well to look at the factual dimension of the bomb blasts in a dispassionate manner. Almost immediate apportioning of blame mostly on rivals of the other camp by responsible persons after each occurrence has become a pathetic recurrent reality. Indiscreet and uninformed comments in such sensitive matters further compound the environment in our society where almost everybody--from the humble to the mighty has some expertise on law and order, observes a cynic who has been in the business of law and order for quite some time.

Unfortunately, not many people realise that dangerously accusatory comments even before the investigation has started do create an undesirable influence on the investigators, particularly in our society for reasons that perhaps do not need elaboration. This, however, does not mean that our investigators invariably tailor their investigations according to the dictates of the authority as often alleged in the media. Nor are they indulging in the dangerous game of playing to the gallery as is the practice in some segments of our administration. What, however, is not attracting our attention is the predicament of the investigating agency in a situation marked by opposing pulls and lack of adequate scientific wherewithals. Investigations of bomb blast cases need sustained painstaking efforts in a professional manner without any influence peddling. Readers may recollect the time, energy and resources devoted to the investigation of the explosion incident that led to the death of Rajiv Gandhi of India. It needs to be emphasised that unnecessary and motivated haste in the investigation of such cases might prove counter-productive.

The investigation
The police including the central outfit of CID (Criminal Investigation Department) have been portrayed as having very little or no technical expertise and therefore, deemed as incapable of satisfactorily investigating bomb blast cases. That is the impression one gets if one has to go by the media reports. These reports often do not mention that technical expertise is only one part of the investigative process, that collection of non-physical evidence on the basis of sound and credible intelligence plays a major part, that our police officers trained outside the country do not find adequate technical and organisational support on return, to efficiently operate, that some such bomb incident cases ended in charge sheet and did not have the benefit of expeditious trial and last but not the least, the difficulties experienced by investigating officers in the face of virulent claims and counter claims of culpability loudly made by leaders from across the political divide.

Some apparently well-intentioned personalities cast doubt on the sincerity of the agency by commenting that 'Interpol' help has not been sought in investigation without, however, ascertaining that 'Interpol' is not an international investigating agency as is loosely understood. Still others demand broad-based investigation, allegedly in the interest of non-partisan enquiry without, however, appreciating that investigation of a criminal case has to be done in accordance with the provisions of the penal and procedural law of the land. Other agencies, internal or external, may provide information and technical expertise.

What the police cannot do
While the police must unearth and detect the bomb blast cases and prevent such incidents from happening by dint of quality intelligence, they cannot be expected to put a complete stop to such incidents because of circumstances beyond their control. Extreme views advocating and implementing annihilation of the opponent is a sad socio-political reality of our society and in rooting out this menace the police is at best a marginal player. Similarly, the so-called extermination campaign of class enemy by apparently ideologically motivated elements cannot be effectively controlled by adopting a purely conventional law and order approach. Extremism of the so-called fundamentalist variety can be countered by a joint strategy of persuasion and tough action, with political direction being conspicuously pronounced. In all these matters, the acumen needed is political sagacity and patience to fight the painfully long battle against extremist depredations and insurgency.

If it is a political battle with armed support and not the other way, we will definitely overcome the present predicament sooner than apprehended. Violence must not be allowed to be a way of our life along with a political consensus to abjure it. The police, admittedly, in this regard has a secondary role to perform and that relates to prevention of some description and intensive investigation once the damage has been done. Let us make sustained efforts to facilitate the organisation in acquiring the hallmarks of a professionally upright body.

What needs to be done
First of all, it has to be ensured that following a bomb blast leaders of the political parties do not engage themselves in an acrimonious blame game and thus help and facilitate the investigators to do their job in a professional manner. Political or ideological linkage, if any, would be brought to light if the occurrence is treated like a criminal offence. A pre-conceived notion about possible perpetrators will more often lead to the harassment of innocent citizens while the real scums will move unhindered. We must ensure that in upholding the public's right to be informed, a situation is not willy-nilly created wherein the entire process amounts to an investigation by the media. Needless to mention, such a scenario will seriously prejudice the rights of the victims and the interest of the prosecution because in our legal system the onus is on the prosecution to prove that the defendant/criminal is guilty beyond the least shadow of doubt. Let us remember that the anger, excitement and the euphoria will not be there at the time of trial before the court which will pronounce its verdict on the basis of cold facts and credible evidence.

Secondly, adequate training, both in-country and external has to be organised along with simultaneous creation of exclusive units in selected places. These units must have sufficient technical support to conduct the initial investigation. Since these exclusive units will not attract volunteers for practical reasons, it would be necessary to provide them very attractive incentives (material and non-material) for drawing the proper talents from the police organisation. At the same time very intensive or in-depth exposure will not be necessary at this stage as the Armed Forces expertise can always be counted upon as supplementary assistance.

Thirdly, increased support needs to be given for strengthening the laboratory of CID that has a ballistics section in a less-than-modern condition. Some high quality and high priced capital equipment have to be bought for this section for providing technical support to the investigators whose reports, strengthened by such support will automatically assume considerable significance evidence wise. Consequently, it would be easier to convict the mischief makers.

It would be relevant to mention here that not only the ballistics section but also all sections of CID laboratory have to be strengthened to ensure quality investigation of all cases including the bomb blast incidents. For facility of understanding it may be said that the photography section needs to be modernised to lend support to the ballistics section in its effort to provide evidentiary support to the investigator.

Fourthly, monetary incentives should be substantially increased so that the allegedly dormant intelligence outfits are sufficiently energised and quality information becomes available to prevent the occurrence and to nab the culprits once the incident has taken place. Financial constraints should no longer be a bar because the stakes are too high.

In fine, it may be said that the prevention and detection of incidents of bomb blasts has not been a total failure as has been depicted by many. Unfortunately, the success stories have not been brought to light for reasons better left said. In a perilously polarised polity where criminals enjoy political patronage, criminal activities are accorded respectability for so-called political compulsions and a loathsome all-pervasive distrust between different social and political groups prevail, the predicament of police investigators who have the double jeopardy of being less-than-credible in the eyes of the law of the land and the members of public, can only be appreciated by a reasoned observer. Our investigators definitely suffer from adequate scientific support but even under the present circumstances they can achieve commendable success. Our investigators for reasons known, do not operate in a favourable environment where helpful information comes voluntarily from members of public but still like our physicians they do good clinical investigation without laboratory support by virtue of their intution, gut reaction and the limited information network. I am saying so out of experience.

We will definitely put ourselves and our future generation in peril by our inability to let a truly professional investigating agency grow in accordance with the dictates of the law. Viewing criminal occurrences from a political angle only will be ruinous because that would not only be a damper to the growth of professionalism but also in the process shatter the remaining confidence reposed in the vital institution of the state. We still have pockets of excellence in our investigative outfits and it shall be in the fitness of things to allow such outfits to attain professional excellence without being tainted by any direction. Let the actual facts and circumstances of the incident be ascertained as is the job of the investigator and let that be placed before the court for adjudging the guilt. Finally, let the threat perception be seriously studied as has been indicated and demonstrated by the ugly incident of 21st August last. Every civilised government is duty bound to protect all its citizens and therefore, let not precedence and protocol overtake the reality in deciding the security detail of the vulnerable VIP.

Muhammad Nurul Huda is former Inspector General of Police and Secretary to the Government.