Government's role disappointing over Gazipur incidents

What a horrific scene! A group of youths are hacking and slitting a journalist's throat on the street! A video circulating on social media shows a man being murdered in a festive atmosphere. If there were any signs of anger on the faces of the murderers, it could still be said that this is an expression of some kind of anger. But what can we say about these gruesome murderers with smiling faces? In another video, a journalist is seen being beaten up indiscriminately by a group of youths in presence of police. They are pelting him with brick.

Such a brutal murder and beating scene on the street would leave any sensitive person speechless and shocked. Both the one who was murdered and the one who was beaten up and seriously injured are local journalists. This is not the first incident of journalist torture in Bangladesh. But this is the first time that the horrific scene of a journalist being murdered on the street in front of hundreds of people has been seen.

We have observed with great concern that even after the video of such a large-scale murder and torture was spread on social media, no responsible person from the government has made any statement on this issue. They have not assured that the murderers will be brought to justice. There has also been no significant activity by the police in arresting the murderers. A few police officers have made the usual responsible statement that ‘an arrest operation is underway’. This unprecedented, unimaginable indifference of the government after such a large-scale murder on public streets has further increased the fear in the minds of the people of the country. Due to the reluctant operation of the police, great doubts have been created about the arrest of the real murderers.

It is shameful that such brutal incidents are happening one after another in the country. But the human rights and social organizations that were previously vocal about disappearances, murders, torture in custody, torture of journalists, and human rights violations are silent today. In fact, the activities of the country's foreign-funded human rights organizations are now almost invisible. The National Human Rights Organization has also been inactive for almost a year.

At the same time, various organizations of journalists have also been seen to be vocal about the torture of journalists in the country. Now, although the leadership of journalist organizations is seen to be very active in grabbing positions in various fields, they are seen to be silent about the torture of journalists. As a result, professional journalism in the country is under threat. The incident in Gazipur last Thursday has further alarmed the journalist community and journalism in the country, while the role of journalist leadership is questionable.

According to the police, journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin was killed by agitated miscreants while he was videotaping the criminal activities of a group of extortionists. And the police have not been able to provide a clear statement about who beat up the tortured journalist Anwar. Earlier, the headlines published in several media outlets on the incident were, 'Live against extortion in the afternoon, journalist killed at night' and 'Journalist beaten up in public for publishing extortion news'. The police statement later changed the headline in many media outlets.

But the question arises, how can robbers and terrorists roam around openly with weapons at the Chandana intersection in Gazipur? Who gave them this freedom? Then is there no police or administration in Gazipur? The faces of those who killed and beat up journalists in the video are very clear. However, the police do not know their identities, it is unbelievable.

The people of the country know that only politically sponsored criminals can indulge in reckless terrorist activities on streets in Bangladesh. If they are not loyal to any political party, they cannot openly rejoice and indulge in murder. The type of criminal acts was not as the same as the robbers do. Then why is the real identity of these killers being hidden? If these criminals are hidden and protected due to their affiliation with a political party, no doubt then the national leadership of that political party will also have to suffer the same consequences of the past leadership that fell in the July mass uprising. Therefore, the national leadership should take responsibility and hand over the criminals to the police and not give party nominations to the local godfathers of these terrorists in the next elections.

We want to tell the government that since you are in the power and are taking advantage of the people's tax money, the responsibility for such brutal incidents lies on your shoulders, as well as the responsibility of bringing these murderers under the law and ensuring strict punishment. The government must also take responsibility for ensuring the effective role of the administration in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of people's lives and property. It is extremely disappointing that the government is not showing that responsible role. We hope that the government will ensure a responsible role in arresting the perpetrators of the murder and torture of journalists in Gazipur.