Concern over secret killing
Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque and Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon yesterday expressed concern with one voice over increasing instances of secret killing and disappearance in the country.
They spoke at an annual meeting of the Crime Reporters' Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) held at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity office.
Farroque described secret killings and forced disappearances as a new trend in crime during the incumbent government's rule.
Menon in his speech said secret killings had increased but Rapid Action Battalion covered up such incidents by describing those as crossfire deaths.
If the people having the responsibility to maintain law and order make up stories, things will get even worse, he said.
Of the 29 people disappeared recently, the bodies of 16 were recovered, said Farroque adding that instances of imposing section 144 had also increased under this government.
Expressing concern about the country's law and order situation, he said seven girls had been raped before their parents in the last three years of the Awami League-led government.
Referring to rights bodies' statistics, he said 365 journalists had fallen victim to torture during the period. Of the victims, he was one who had faced police assault in parliament area, but the policemen involved were not punished, rather they were given protection by the government.
The workers party president, Menon, urged reporters not to indulge in media trial. If a person falls victim to media trial, no scope remains to defend him or her.
Crime reporters should be well aware of the laws related to the sphere of their work.
If reporters unearth facts involving crime incidents and place them before readers, the society will be greatly benefited, Menon noted.
Outgoing CRAB president Parvez Khan presided over the meeting.
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