None will be spared for extrajudicial killing but don’t indiscriminately demoralise law enforcers: PM

Saying that her government is not sparing anyone involved in extrajudicial killing, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today told the Parliament that people should not indiscriminately criticise law enforcers in a way that, out of fear, they lose their spirit to work efficiently.

In her speech during the ninth session of the current parliament, she said law enforcement agencies have been working to curb social ills including drugs, militancy and terrorism.

Hasina, also Leader of the House, said, "Law enforcement agencies have had enough successes and they are working, risking their lives."

The premier added, "While doing their job, if accidents happen, those are anomalies. But the government is not sparing anyone if such incidents occur during drives by law enforcement agencies. None will be able to say that we're sparing anyone involved in crime."

Hasina said her government is trying to control incidents of extrajudicial killings.

"At the same time, we're trying to curb drug trade, terrorism and militancy," she said.

Regarding criticism of law enforcement agencies, she said, "It should not be done in such a way so that their (law enforcers') spirit to work is destroyed out of fear. We'll have to pay attention to that as well. Criticism is good but it (demoralising) will also have to be considered."

The Prime Minister said the law enforcement agencies are called first when people are in danger. Security is ensured by them, she added.

She said extrajudicial killings started in the country during the time of Ziaur Rahman. Later, those killings were given institutional shape.