Where are they?

The action of the police with regard to the two Gulshan café survivors has left us flabbergasted. The police claim that they have been released after questioning but the two families have no knowledge of their whereabouts. 

These two were either pivotal witnesses in the case or their role in the investigation process is peripheral. If the former is true, they should have been subjected to thorough questioning, and to that end, their custody with the police would be justifiable. Thus it defies logic that they should be released and that too without their next of kin being informed about it. 

On the other hand, if their role in the investigation process is not crucial we wonder why they had been kept in custody for so long. And isn't there a set procedure for taking someone in custody and for releasing him or her? And shouldn't the fact that they have 'disappeared' after their so called release ring alarm bells among the police, as they were important witnesses to the killings?  

This is a sensitive case that has drawn international attention and has brought the country in the focus of the world. Thus we find the action of the law enforcers, on both counts, incomprehensible. They should not overlook the fact that the international community is depending on us for a proper investigation. Regrettably, the handling of the situation has revealed a casual attitude of the law enforcement agencies which is in total contrast to the firmness and clarity of the PM's position and her strong commitment to root out terrorism. It has also further strengthened public perception that the police's capacity to handle such investigations has to be enhanced.