The recent abduction and killings of ward councilor Nazrul Islam along with six others in Narayanganj are a painful reminder of the precarious state of law and order in the country.
At least two months before his murder, Nazrul had been seeking protection from active death threats. He is reported to have spoken to the state minister of home affairs and the RAB director general was asked to act on the matter.
However, in spite of the history of warnings no effective protective action was provided.
Indeed, families of the victims have accused RAB personnel of being involved in the murder, at the urging of rival local leaders of the Awami League.
If these accusations prove true, then it is an extremely worrying instance of a breakdown in rule of law. If law enforcers can be manipulated for nefarious purposes by politicians then no one in this country is truly safe.
There is only one acceptable and legal answer to the question of who controls the country’s law enforcers and that is the public. Citizens expect and deserve assurance that this standard will be upheld and all necessary action will be taken against individuals who breach the law.
We call on all politicians and law enforcement agencies to help the probe committee on this matter hold those responsible for these murders to account, and to take measures to prevent such incidents.
No person or organisation should be above the law. The public deserves full accountability.