STRAIGHT LINE
Behind the pre-eminence of bureaucrats
The question is one of making the bureaucracy more responsible and responsive.
Mechanisms to hold the police accountable do exist; why aren't we using them?
It is imperative to bring the police under a system of accountability that earns public confidence.
Was Jinnah the real villain in the story of partition?
On June 3, 1947, Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, announced his plan for the partition of the subcontinent—in particular that of Punjab and Bengal.
Getting out of the extrajudicial mode
Of late, media reports that indicate that the infamous phenomenon of extrajudicial killings has been resorted to more by the mainstream police outfit than the elite unit of the law-enforcing apparatus should bring no comfort, and indeed should be viewed with concern.
What ails our local governments?
The unfortunate fact of our times is that all reports on Bangladesh’s socio-economic progression almost invariably point to the lack of good governance as a significant deficit in our developmental strides.
The ‘crossfire’ controversy
The piece “No ‘crossfire’ deaths since US sanctions” published in this newspaper on January 11 will definitely engage all thinking minds, especially those entrusted with the maintenance of law and public order.
Understanding the spirit of the Liberation War
In recent times, there have been many discussions, discourses and deliberations on “muktijuddher chetona,” wherein passionate and eloquent speakers have emphasised the imperative of holding aloft the spirit of our great Liberation War.
The invisible struggles of constables
Historically speaking, repression was the dominant feature of colonial policing, at least between 1930 and the Partition in 1947, and one cannot be certain if the attitude of the ruling establishments in the subcontinent has significantly changed insofar as the use of police powers is concerned.
Policing the police
Following the death of Major Sinha in circumstances indicative of collusive criminal behaviour of some apparently errant police personnel along with other delinquencies of lawmen elsewhere in the country, well-meaning citizens have expressed their apprehensions about control and accountability of our police or the lack of it.
How do we solve the image crisis for police?
Reports in the print and electronic media indicate that the image of police in public eyes has been worryingly tainted following the death of Major Sinha under circumstances pointing to the criminal collusive actions of some errant policemen, in addition to other serious infractions of policemen elsewhere in the country.
Understanding the greatness of Bangabandhu
While remembering the tragic incident of August 15 1975, we have to agree with the undeniable fact of history that Bangabandhu became a symbol in his own lifetime.
Major Sinha’s death and the culture of excessive force
The untimely death of former Major Sinha Rashed Khan in hither to inadequately explained circumstances saddens the heart.
The contour of modern policing policy
Police performance in Bangladesh in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic has surely been laudable as evidenced in public reactions and media reports.
71 years of Awami League
The Awami League celebrates its 71st birth anniversary on June 23, 2020. Looking back, any ardent student of history would come face to face with the fact that the divisions that were to characterise the differing interests of the educated Muslims in the then East Bengal, began to manifest themselves in the penultimate years of British rule in India.
Police brutality: Understanding American policing
Police brutality is no strange phenomenon to the American criminal law enforcement scenario. However, the happenings since George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis last month have demonstrated unusually deep anger and anguish, and protests continue.
A look back at the historic Six Point Movement
On June 7, 1966, in the then East Pakistan, a special protest day was observed in support of the Six Point Movement. The government of General Ayub Khan moved to suppress it with force. Huge demonstrations were fired upon by police claiming a number of lives. Large scale arrests followed. It is time once again to gratefully recall those intrepid Bangali nationalists whose sacrifices expedited our defiant march to full independence a few years later.
Bangabandhu’s galvanising speech of March 7
It is now an admitted fact that in the treasury of the world’s great speeches, the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman occupies a special place of honour and prominence.
Why do we not trust the police?
There is no denying that the present government has taken laudable steps by fulfilling a number of long-felt demands of the mainstream police.
