'Mob justice' is an ominous signal for society and the state: Bangladesh NAP

The recent murders of Tofazzal, an alleged thief in Dhaka University, Shamim Ahmed, a student at Jahangirnagar University, Abdullah Masood of Rajshahi University, Mohammad Mamun at Dighinala in Khagrachari, and the anarchy that is being created in different parts of the country in the name of 'Mob Justice' or 'Uttal Janata Bicher' have caused deep concern and anxiety. The top leaders of Bangladesh National Awami Party-Bangladesh NAP openly commented that 'mob justice' is not acceptable in any way. The murders in 'Mob Justice' are very shocking and touching. Everyone should remember that 'mob justice' is an ominous sign for the society and the state.

In a statement sent to the media on Saturday (September 21), Bangladesh NAP Chairman Jebel Rahman Gani and Secretary General M. Golam Mostafa Bhuiya said, if there was rule of law in the country, such an unwanted and unintended incident could not have happened. To establish the rule of law, 'mob justice' must be stopped at any cost.

They also said that brutality in the name of 'mob justice' is never justified. Taking the law into one's own hands should set a precedent of exemplary punishment. After the fall of the authoritarian government, the new interim government has not yet been able to completely restructure the state system. As a result, one side is trying to use the mob in various criminal activities for their own benefit. The perpetrators of the extrajudicial acts committed since the beginning of this government have not yet been brought to justice. This is why criminals have become more daring.

The leader said that this kind of killing in a fascist manner is not acceptable in any way after the revolution. All fascist systems and elements like extra-judicial killings and 'mob-violence' must be abolished soon and a new political settlement ushered in. It must be remembered that no one is above the law and all crimes are the responsibility of the courts. Those who take the law into their own hands are committing crimes and inviting evil forces to destabilize the country.

They said that mob justice, extrajudicial killings, attacks and vandalism of shrines and temples across the country are creating panic in the public mind and indicating the deterioration of the law and order situation. Even after August 5, such extrajudicial killings prove that despite the fall of the fascist government, the fascist state and government structures and systems are still intact. At the same time, due to the apathy of the interim government in controlling law and order and not taking proper legal action after various attacks, such mob-violence is recurring.

The leader said that there was a type of 'mob justice' during the fallen government, another type of 'mob justice' is going on during the current government. It just can't go on. 'Mob justice' has also taken place in the court premises itself. Shrines, Darbars, Khankas are being attacked at various places. And the government is sitting quietly against these attacks, no effective action is visible. The age of Interwarti government was going to be one and a half months. Apart from two areas, we are not seeing much activity of the government anywhere. Especially the law and order situation is very fragile. 'Mob-justice' is not acceptable and will not bring any solution. The law should reflect the aspirations of the people. All murders should be prosecuted by law. If we fail to stop this situation, the death of the 'July-August' revolution is bound to happen.