Accused in Cox's Bazar rape case must not be spared
Md Ashiq from Cox's Bazar was not just involved in the drug trade, theft, snatching and extortion. He created a criminal gang whose ‘task’ was to snatch valuables away from tourists and the locals. Although some 17 cases had been lodged against him in the last 10 years, he remained beyond reach.
On 22 December, Ashiq and his accomplices raped a woman on a trip in Cox’s Bazar. Police on Sunday arrested three associates of Ashiq from Cox's Bazar. The main accused Ashiq was also arrested from Madaripur at night on the same day.
According to the police, a total of 17 cases had been lodged against Ashiq in between 20 August, 2011 to 7 November, 2021, but he had not been detained in any of them. Lastly on 7 November, a case was filed against him on the allegation of attempted robbery. However, he was released on bail as usual.
Members of various law enforcement agencies, including police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and tourist police, have been deployed in Cox’s Bazar. The government claims adopting a zero tolerance policy against drugs and terrorism. Then, how does an accused in 17 cases remain outside prison? The criminal gang led by Ashiq is not the only criminal gang in Cox’s Bazar. There are seven to eight more criminal gangs in the city. However, the law enforcement agencies cannot take any actions against them. Although the cases were filed, the accused came out proudly through the loopholes of the law and continued with their criminal activities.
If the government cannot detain or punish such a criminal, then how will drug smuggling and criminal activities in the country reduce? If Ashiq had not been released on bail in a case filed on 7 November, the victim might not have been raped on 22 December. Worryingly, the law enforcement agencies have failed to protect a woman from the miscreants. What is the secret behind this? The trial of a criminal is conducted on the basis of investigation. The offenders get punished when the investigation is proper. If the investigation is faulty, the offenders get acquitted from the case using the loopholes of the law. If a case is filed against a criminal in an area, the concerned officers avoid their responsibility saying ‘they are new to the area’, which is unfortunate.
The details about the people operating the drug trade and criminal gangs are not unknown to the law enforcement agencies. But they are politically patronised and there is administrative indulgence as well. If these cannot be stopped, drug smuggling and criminal activities would never be eradicated from the country if the law cannot run at its own pace.
It is simply not acceptable that a person Ashiq like will continue his reign of terror in Cox’s Bazar for 10 years, take people hostage and demand huge ransom and law enforcement will play the role of silent spectator. Every incident must be investigated impartially and fairly. The patrons of these criminals should be identified and brought to book.
Strict action should be taken against all individuals and criminal gangs involved in drug trade and other criminal activities in Cox's Bazar. Despite the delay, the main accused of the rape case, Ashiq, has been arrested. Now the main duty of the law enforcement agencies will be to complete the investigation quickly and ensure the punishment of the accused.