THE death of a former leader of the Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, in a case of lynching is unacceptable. The incident shows that the interim government has a number of issues to attend to in keeping law and order. The former Chhatra League leader, who worked as a section officer at the University of Rajshahi, was beaten by a mob at Binodpur near the university. The mob then took the man, accused of attacking student protesters, to the Motihar police, who sent them to the Boalia police station as no case had been filed with the Motihar police over the allegations levelled against him. It appears that a timely intervention by the Motihar police could have saved the life of the man, who could have then easily been transferred to the other police station. The incident shows, among others, that the law enforcement agency has not yet been fully functional. After the overthrow of the Awami League government on August 5 amid the student-mass uprising, police personnel left their station, fearing retribution. Most of them have joined their duties, but it appears that they are yet to be fully functional.
Another major reason for the worrying law and order is that the government is yet to address the demand of people for justice for atrocities that Awami League leaders and activists had committed. Hundreds of leaders and activists of the Awami League attacked the protesters in July 15鈥揂ugust 5. The peaceful student protests for reforms in public service job reservations, in fact, turned violent after the Chhatra League, aided by the law enforcement agencies, had attacked the protesters on July 15. In the following days, many Awami League leaders and activists attacked the protesters. Hundreds of videos and photographs are there that show Awami League hoodlums taking part in killing and injuring the protesters. They also carried firearms and other weapons, the videos show. Understandably, there is much anger among the people against the armed Awami League leaders and activists and the people have since then demanded justice. It is not unnatural, unfortunate though, that some Awami League activists might come under mob attacks. Moreover, some people might try to settle personal scores with Awami League leaders and activists, who were involved in crimes of all sorts. Whatever the matter is, it is the government鈥檚 responsibility to look into the issue and keep law and order. Any incident of lynching is unacceptable.
The authorities must, therefore, remain alert to lynching and vandalism. The authorities must ensure that the police become fully functional and bring the Awami League leaders and activists who took part in attacks on protesters to justice. The authorities must also investigate the death of the Chhatra League leader at hand and try the people responsible.
