Militants on bail untraceable

According to a report by The Daily Star on Monday, the law enforcement agencies have no information regarding the whereabouts of over 500 suspected militants, who got out of jail after securing bail in the last few years. Although the authorities are confident the situation is under control, thanks to increased security measures in recent months, the disclosure is quite unsettling. The prospect that these individuals could indulge in harmful activities is alarming.

Two things strike us as we think of the development: first, how could such a large number of potentially dangerous people secure bail even though there are legal safeguards in place to prevent the likelihood of an absconsion or repetition of a crime. Secondly, it questions the capacity of the police to keep track of the bail jumpers—suspected militants, no less—and present them before a court when they are needed for trial. Overall, the Monday disclosure bespeaks a security situation that remains as questionable as before, despite what the authorities say to convince us.

Fighting militancy is a tricky job and it doesn't end with the arrest of a militant. Prosecution is an important part of the process and the law enforcement officials are duty-bound to make sure that those accused of terrorist activities are kept under watch throughout the trial process. So while it is imperative that police launch drives to arrest those individuals on an urgent basis, it is equally important that they remain cautious to keep track of those on bail to prevent the likelihood of a crime.