Maiming Limon: TIB for exemplary punishment
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today demanded exemplary punishment to those responsible for shooting and maiming Limon Hossain and filing false and conspiratory cases against him.
TIB called for bringing the responsible persons to book through forming a neutral and high-powered body to investigate the incident.
The organisation at the same time also expressed comfort for clearing Limon of charges in both cases.
“Though it is late, Limon and his family’s getting relief from the false and fabricated cases will bring comfort to people’s minds. Though it is important, it is a small step in establishing the rule of law,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, said in a press statement.
After shooting Limon, the Rapid Action Battalion filed two cases against him -- one for obstructing law enforcers from discharging duties and another for possessing firearms.
He got rid of the arms case on July 29 last year, a month after the government decided not to proceed with the cases and the case for obstructing the Rab men yesterday.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said it was not enough to withdraw the case. Those who maimed innocent Limon and filed the false and troublesome cases against him must be given exemplary punishment through legal process in order to ensure that law enforcement agencies can not repeat such incident in future, he added.
He also called for compensation to Limon. "We also call upon the government to take the responsibility to financially support Limon and his family until he completes his education and is professionally established enough to sustain himself and his family independently.”
On March 23, 2011, a Rab team shot Limon in the left leg at Shaturia village, taking him for a notorious criminal it was looking for. He was then a candidate of Higher Secondary Certificate examination.
The elite force then picked him up, sent him to a hospital and filed the two cases. It also produced a worn-out revolver and a used bullet cap as “evidence” against the poor, meritorious boy.
Four days after the shooting, the leg had to be amputated. All these incidents drew huge outcry from rights bodies and the media.
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