Opposition MPs accuse police of extra-judicial killing, enforced disappearance at parliament

Several opposition MPs have come down hard on Bangladesh Police in parliament for their alleged involvement in myriads of wrongdoings that range from extra-judicial killing, enforced disappearance and violations of basic human rights in general.

The consensus among the members of the opposition bench on Monday was that police forces have essentially become another arm of the ruling party and that fact alone is making them feel invincible. Engagement of policemen of every rank and file in criminal wrongdoings is growing by the day, they said.

At least 10 opposition lawmakers had demanded that Tk 1.78 billion that was allocated in the supplementary budget for the home ministry’s Public Security Division not be disbursed.

In response, AKM Mozammel Huq, the Liberation War affairs minister standing for Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in parliament, said the government maintains a zero-tolerance against policemen who are found involved in criminal activities.

“I certainly can’t say that there are no bad policemen in the country. However, you got to see if the government is taking actions against them or not.”

WHO SAID WHAT

While addressing the parliament during the supplementary budget discussion of the outgoing fiscal year, with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair, independent MP Rezaul Karim Bablu suggested the government look for corrupt policemen with a “microscope”.

Gono Forum’s Mokabbir Khan said: “From constables to top-level police officials, everyone on the ladder is involved in myriads of crimes at the moment. That’s why no one is getting punished for their wrongdoings, which essentially raises a big question mark over the force itself.”

BNP’s Rumeen Farhana said: “Under this administration, the police force is no longer a law-enforcing agency working for the state. It has become an enforcer for the ruling party.

“People don’t prefer asking for police help even if they are in danger fearing greater danger. Extra-judicial killings and custodial torture have become the new normal. If you protest against it, you’ll face the same fate.”

Shamim Haider Patwary, an MP from Jatiya Party, recommended formation of an all-party special committee to deal with allegations of human rights violation from any member of the citizenry.