Political killings on the rise
More than 100 leaders and activists, mostly from AL and BNP, killed in 10 months
Kailash Sarkar
Incidents of political killing have taken an alarming rise in the country with death of over 100 leaders and activists of different parties in the last 10 months.
In most of the cases, popular local leaders with the prospect of obtaining nominations in the parliamentary elections have been killed by their rivals. On the other hand, the nation did not witness any of the alleged killers get punished, which according to many, has created a flattering ground for political murders.
While some of these killings took place during clashes between ruling Awami League and opposition BNP supporters, a significant share of incidents involves killing of one AL leader by another of the same party.
Sources said over 7,000 accused have been released under political consideration during the tenure of the present government while a number of accused awarded death sentence, including 22 convicts in two cases of Natore and Laxmipur, were pardoned.
Meanwhile, the law enforcers did not make any headway in almost all the cases related to political murder due to political interferences and blame games. In some cases, law enforcers resorted to arresting innocent people belonging to the opposite political camp.
For instance, truth of the murder of AL activist Ibrahim Ahmed on August 13 last year still remains in the dark due to the involvement of ruling party lawmaker Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shaon.
Political leaders killed in the recent times include Narsingdi Mayor Lokman Hossain, Khulna District unit publicity secretary of ruling Awami League and also chairman of Senhati union parishad in Digholia upazila Gazi Abdul Halim, Tangail Juba League leader Sadekur Rahman Dipu, Khulna BNP leaders Nasim Sheikh and Modasser Ali, Rangpur Juba League joint convener Sajid Parvez Jadu, AL leader of Mohammadpur Kamruzzaman Mithu, Jessore Monirampur upazila unit AL agriculture secretary Abu Abdullah, Haridas Kathi UP Chairman Prakash Chandra, Tejgaon unit joint convener of Bangladesh Chhatra League Mizanur Rahman, Jhenidah BNP leader Shahjahan Seraj, general secretary of DCC ward-39 unit BNP Kazi Abdur Rahman, and general secretary of Awami League ward-41 unit of the capital's Agargaon Fazlul Huq.
According to human rights body Odhikar, 95 people were killed and 8,882 others from AL, BNP and other parties were injured in political violence from January to September this year. At least seven persons were killed in last October.
Another human rights body Ain O Shalish Kendra in its report expressed concern over the rise in political violence.
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) SM Shahjahan, also a former advisor to the caretaker government, cited various reasons for the rise in political killing incidents and termed the country a 'fertile ground' for political murders.
"No trial of earlier incidents and no punishment to the killers, political parties' blame games and political interference in investigation as well as in prosecution are the main causes," SM Shahjahan said, adding, "Apart from the impunity to the criminals, the clemencies also encourage killings of political leaders."
He criticised political leaders for their indifference to such killings and encouraging these through blame games.The former IGP, however, said the murders of political leaders did not happen for political reasons, but in most cases over establishing supremacy for extortion, land grabbing, business factors etc.However, he was doubtful about the rise in the number of political killing.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=209283
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