Drug purge on, so is killing

A record 14 killed in a single day; ASK decries shootout spree

A record 14 people were killed in so-called shootouts in a single day yesterday, taking the tally of those killed in such incidents to 122, amid the countrywide anti-narcotics drive which has been going on for the last 16 days.

The “gunfights” continue amid growing criticism and concern from rights bodies, opposition leaders and foreign diplomats over the “extrajudicial killings”.

The ongoing drive already became the bloodiest anti-crime drive with death tolls surpassing that of the 2002 Operation Clean Heart (57 deaths) or even the anti-militant drive after the 2016 Gulshan attack (80 deaths).

Yesterday, nine were killed in “gunfights” with police and Rab while five others between rival gangs. All of the deceased were listed drug dealers, according to law enforcers. The Daily Star could not independently verify their claims. 

Three of 14 were killed in Dhaka while one each in Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Chuadanga, Comilla, Sirajganj and Narail. The other five were killed in so-called infightings in Magura and Jessore's Benapole, our correspondents reported quoting police and Rab officials.

During the drives, the officials claimed to have recovered a huge quantity of drugs.

Rights body Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) yesterday again expressed concern over the “extrajudicial killings” and condemned the shootout spree. Citing media reports, it said 119 people have been killed in so-called gunfights and around 10,000 people have been apprehended during the ongoing clampdown.

“The deaths of such a huge number of people in such a short span of time are not acceptable,” the ASK said in a press release. As per the constitution and international human rights charters, every citizen is entitled to justice. Therefore, the offenders must be tried through the legal process but not by law enforcement agencies, the release added.

Earlier, different rights activists and political leaders criticised the deaths, saying “killing could never be a solution to ending crimes”. Recently, diplomats stationed in Dhaka also expressed concern over the “extrajudicial” killings.

During the nationwide drive, law enforcers have arrested around 11,000 people over their alleged involvement in drug peddling while mobile courts have jailed and fined at least 3,547 others.

They also claimed to have recovered over 25.41 lakh yaba tablets, 26.5kgs of heroin and over 23,000 bottles of phensedyl. 

• Courtesy: The Daily Star/ May 31, 2018