People are helpless against rising crimes and lawlessness
Editorial Desk :
Law and order situation has been deteriorating alarmingly, with a sharp rise of killing, abduction, extortion and drug-related offences across the country, apparently due to the ‘relaxed mood’ of the law enforcing agencies. Particularly, the scenario in rural areas was more serious than urban ones where incidents of murder, rape, extortion and dacoity were rampant. But the law enforcers allegedly could not deal with the matters with strong hand for unknown reasons.
In the latest gruesome incident, on the day after Eid-ul-Fitr, a sunken trawler was retrieved with 10 decomposed bodies aboard. It was evident that they had been killed in a brutal attack. Our fishermen still risk their lives when they take to the seas for their catch. Although navigating the high seas has in general become safe nowadays due to technological advancements, we still remain lagging behind. We recognise the importance of the blue economy for our national growth, but this is not reflected in our actions. Thus, the sea has become a haven for robbers, pirates and other criminals. How can such lawlessness prevail in the high seas?
It is not just a natural disaster like cyclones; the fishermen have to face robbers, pirates and other fierce foes. According to an international report on the safety of fishermen, over 1,350 fishermen in Bangladesh die at sea simply due to the lack of safety equipment. This number will go up if robbery, piracy and other security issues are taken into account. These fishermen contribute considerably to the huge demand for fish at home and abroad. Their fish brings in foreign exchange too.
It’s not the end. There has been an alarming rise in the number of road, train and waterway accidents in the country over the last few years. Reportedly, during the recent Eid-ul-Fitr vacations, a total of 355 people were killed and 620 others injured in 341 road, rail and waterway accidents.
In recent times, the people of Ukhia and Teknaf areas have been terrified by the frequent kidnapping and ransom trade. One after another crime incident is occurring there. In the last seven months at least 70 people have been abducted from these hilly areas. Locals say, drug and arms smuggling is behind these kidnappings and ransom trade. On Sunday, some unidentified terrorists again abducted two persons when they were working on pan burge in Jahaspura Hills in Baharchhara union of Teknaf.
The people are helpless against the rising crime and lawlessness encouraged as a system politically. In the result, it is feared safety of the people has become a matter of great concern for the coming days.
