TIB for exemplary punishment to Limon’s tormentors

Expressing satisfaction over exemption of Limon Hossain from the charges in a case filed by RAB three years ago, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Friday has demanded exemplary punishment to the people responsible for the loss of his leg and untold harassment.

In a statement, TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said that exemption of Limon and his family from such false case will bring relief in public mind although it was a bit late.

“Despite being important in ensuring justice, it’s a small initiative. Withdrawal of the case is not enough. The people, responsible directly or indirectly for the loss of his (Limon’s) leg and filing false cases against him must be brought to justice so that the law enforcing agencies never repeat such incidents of violating law and justice,” he said.

Limon Hossain, who was shot and maimed by RAB three years and seven months back, came out clean as a Jhalakati court on Thursday exempted him from the charges in a case filed for obstructing law enforcers from discharging their duties.

On July 29, 2013, Jhalakati special tribunal-2 judge Kiran Shanker Halder cleared Limon of charges in another case filed under the Arms Act after two and half years of filing the case.

Iftekharuzzaman urged the government to give financial assistance to Limon and his family until he completes his study and gets a job or work.

Limon’s ordeal began on March 23, 2011, just yards away from his home at Shaturia village in Jhalakathi. As he went to fetch his family cattle from a nearby field, a RAB team shot him point-blank in his left leg, taking him for a notorious criminal it was looking for.

The elite force then picked Limon up and sent him to a hospital. On the same day, RAB filed two cases against him -- one for possessing arms and another for obstructing law enforcers.

Four days after the shooting, Limon’s leg had to be amputated. He now walks on an artificial leg.