A red alert indeed

We are shocked to learn that two militants escaped police custody from the Dhaka court premises on Sunday. Reportedly, four cops were escorting the two death-row convicts along with ten other militants to the prison cell when unidentified individuals attacked a constable, and snatched the two. Both were members of the banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam, and convicted in the murder cases of slain publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan and blogger Avijit Roy. Such dangerous criminals being on the loose, amid suspicions of a resurgence in militant activities fuelled by mysterious disappearances of young men in recent months, is indeed concerning.

To call the incident unusual would be an understatement. Although there have been similar militancy-related security breaches in the past – including the escape of three convicts in 2014 after a gang of 10-15 masked men attacked a prison van in Trishal, Mymensingh, and the defiance of some Holey Artisan-linked convicts wearing dubiously collected prayer caps inscribed with IS logo in 2019 – the site of the latest breach, at the heart of the judiciary, and the manner in which it was executed, exploiting lax security, are emblematic of bigger concerns.

It has exposed security loopholes in handling high-risk criminals. Reportedly, about 600-700 defendants are brought at the Dhaka district and metropolitan courts every day, with only 190-200 cops tasked with escorting them. Clearly, the security arrangement is far from adequate, and the conduct of police far from professional. According to court sources, the fugitives were not bound with fetters, and cops were taking them to the prison cell without the judge's permission. The coy, coordination and potential collusion that characterised their escape are also noteworthy. How did the associates of fugitives get their hands on the key to their handcuffs? How did the fugitives know when to launch the surprise assault on the constable before they were joined, and whisked away, by their associates?

These questions must be investigated by the probe team looking into their escape (and the attempted escapes of other militants).

We are told that a case has been filed, and security on court premises has been beefed up. Five cops were also temporarily suspended in this connection. Meanwhile, a red alert has been issued by the home ministry to arrest the fugitives, with the border guards asked to remain vigilant. More will be known about this in the coming days as investigators comb through related materials and evidence. This predictable chain of reactions, however, doesn't address our concern about the renewed threat of a rise in militant activities.

With the national election a little over a year away, any such threat is indeed disturbing. There are fears that reorganised militant groups could be targeting the election for a showdown, and the recent spate of militancy-related developments could be part of that goal. Regardless of the motive, any hint of militancy deserves to be taken with seriousness. We urge the police and intelligence agencies, which failed to predict Sunday's escape, to up their game to stay ahead of the militants.