Extrajudicial Killings: 2 BNP MPs lambast govt in House
Two BNP lawmakers yesterday criticised the government for extrajudicial killings and demanded a statement from the home minister specifying that all people are equal under the law.
MP Harunur Rashid initiated the unscheduled discussion while speaking on a point of order in parliament.
He said people were being picked up and killed and later "dramas are staged" to justify the killings.
"And the unfortunate matter is that the government is giving certificates to these extrajudicial killings," he added.
The BNP MP from Chapainawabganj-3 said reports of different national and international human rights organisations said some 3,000 extrajudicial killings took place in the country in the last 10-12 years.
"Those who lost their near and dear ones will not get the scope to take shelter under the country's existing law."
He also gave details of some extrajudicial killings that took place in his constituency.
Pointing to the much-talked about killing of Major (retd) Sinha Md Rashed Khan in Cox's Bazar, Harun said an investigation is going on, trial is going on, but will not the 3,000 families of the victims who were "killed by the law enforcement agencies" get justice?
"Won't the state stand beside them?" he questioned.
He also demanded a statement from the home minister in this regard.
Another BNP lawmaker Rumeen Farhana said recently one extrajudicial killing drew attention of all.
"More than one extrajudicial killing takes place in the country every day. It is repeatedly said that these are isolated incidents, but none of these are isolated incidents," she said.
Rumeen, who is elected from reserved seats for women in parliament, said OC [now suspended] of Teknaf Police Station Pradeep Kumar got the highest police award BPM in 2019 and "he got it for six reasons -- all for extrajudicial killings".
"If any police officer gets the highest award for extrajudicial killings, then it would naturally encourage extrajudicial killings."
The BNP MP said the minister always denies that there are any extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh.
"When the state encourages extrajudicial killing, it means that the judiciary has been destroyed, people have lost their faith in the judiciary, and the state becomes dysfunctional," she said.
Jatiya Party MP Pir Fazlur Rahman from Sunamganj-4 said no one could avoid the responsibility of the extrajudicial killings.
Comments