SWARNOMOYEE MOSTAFA OISHY:

Killings in ‘crossfire or gunfight’ have almost come down to zero after the death of Major (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan by cops that shook the nation.

It is alleged that ‘crossfire or gunfight or encounter’ was used as a tool to control crimes in the country. But the situation has changed visibly after the incident of Sinha murder.

Major (Retd) Sinha was shot to dead on his way near Shyamlapur Check Post, when he was going to Cox’s Bazar via Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive on July 31 at around 10:00 pm.

According to sources, the number of people killed in ‘crossfire or gunfight’ with law enforcers has decreased to almost zero since last August to date.

Earlier in seven months from January to July, some 184 people lost their lives in the so-called ‘crossfire or gunfight’. In 11 months from January to November, the death toll rose to 187. That means the number of deaths in four months was three.

Individuals concerned said, after the incumbent government assumed to power, terrorists, extremists and militants reorganized and carried out their activities to make the country unstable resulting in extreme deterioration of law and order situation. To handle the situation, the law enforcers went tough on criminals.

Former IGP Shahidul Haque said, “After the killing of Major (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan, the trend of crossfire has dropped. At present, there is no such incident in the country.”

“In the corona pandemic, criminal activities have also reduced significantly,” he added.

According to a report by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), at least 62 people were killed in crossfire in the country in first six months of the current year. Police are involved in the incidents, in which 37 people were killed. Of the deceased, 30 were killed in police crossfire and seven in DB crossfire. At the time, 24 people were killed in RAB’s ‘crossfire or gunfight’ and one in BGB’s ‘crossfire or gunfight’.

Crime expert and human rights activist Nur Khan Liton said “Killing someone in crossfire in the name of controlling law and order is another crime.”

“It is not right to judge by own taking the law into own hands. Law enforcers should send the criminals to the court after arrest for trial,” he added.

On condition of anonymity, a senior police official said, “Gunfight or crossfire is never the best way to bring the law and order situation under control. Though, it is late, we however, are happy that the law enforcers have been realized that the practice is not well.”

However, RAB’s legal and media Director Ashik Billah said, “My clear statement in this regard is that gunfights always take place in the context of an incident. The RAB never supports extrajudicial killings. In the last few months, RAB has carried out various risky operations at the dens of militants and drug abusers. But RAB never favors extrajudicial killings.

Unexpected incidents like gunfight happen, when the law enforcers are attacked by the assailants during any operation.”