TIB demands exemplary punishment to culprits

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday demanded exemplary punishment to those responsible for shooting and maiming Limon Hossain and filing false, conspiratory cases against him.

The TIB held it a must to bring the responsible persons to book through forming a "completely neutral and high-powered" body to probe the incident.

The international watchdog at the same time expressed satisfaction over the withdrawal of the last case against him.

“Though late, Limon and his family's relief from a false and fabricated case will bring some comfort among the people. It's a small but important step in establishing rule of law,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of the TIB, said in a press statement.

On March 23, 2011, a Rapid Action Battalion team shot Limon, then an SSC candidate, in the left leg at Shaturia village of Jhalakathi, taking him for a criminal it was looking for. As if it were not enough, the Rab then filed two cases against him -- one for obstructing law enforcers from discharging duties and another for possessing firearms. It also produced a worn-out revolver and a used bullet cap as “evidence” against the poor, meritorious boy.

He got rid of the arms case on July 29 last year, a month after the government had decided not to proceed with the cases. The other case was dropped yesterday.

"Mere withdrawal of the cases is not enough," said Inftekharuzzaman, adding that exemplary punishment for those who crippled innocent Limon for life and filed false cases to harass him, must be ensured so that law enforcement agencies cannot repeat such incident in future.

He demanded compensation for maiming Limon, and asked the government to take the financial responsibility of Limon and his family until he completes his education and is professionally established.

Terming the Limon incident "a disturbing example" of lack of professionalism and accountability in the law enforcement agencies, the TIB director said the incident has lowered people's confidence in the Rab to a great extent.