Law minister's puzzling denial

We are quite dumbfounded by the law minister's recent statement that he does not agree with the assumption that law enforcement agencies violate human rights. Given the growing number of allegations against law enforcement agencies committing excesses it is hardly unreasonable to have such "assumptions". Human rights organisations have recorded the rising number of extrajudicial killings (euphemistically termed "death in crossfire"), torture or death in police custody and enforced disappearances.

In the case of "crossfire" the official story is always the same—an accused is taken to a place during an operation, he then tries to run away or his cohorts fire at the law enforcers and he is killed in the crossfire. Such explanations do not fool anyone, least of all the families of victims of such extrajudicial killings.

The law minister has said that there may be "some individuals" who might have done "excesses". If this is true what has been done about them? Have all such bad apples been held accountable and punished under the law of the land? We would certainly like to know if they have. The law minister has further said that if any complaint is received, the authorities concerned take immediate actions against those responsible and a department probe is conducted. But what about the disappearances of hundreds of people as reported by various rights groups? Are the concerned authorities doing enough to find them? Many of the families of these missing persons have alleged that the victims were picked up by law enforcement agents but will not say anything in public because of fear. Why are they so afraid?

The law minister's denial will not remove the suspicion and fear in the public mind. It is the state's duty to probe into such allegations and ensure justice for the victims of human rights violations by members of the law enforcement agencies.