Retired major Sinha Md Rashed Khan was shot dead at the police check post in Shamlapur of Teknaf upazila, Cox's Bazar. The incident shook the entire nation. All deaths and killings are painful. Sinha's death in the police firing has appeared in various media and has shocked people from all walks of life. The incident brought the matter of extrajudicial killing to the fore, once again.
Given the circumstances, even if the details of the murder in the police statement are true, the killing could be avoided. On the other hand, the family of the retired army man said that he was clearly killed. Police said they fired shots in self-defence, which was not credible to them. The police statement is not consistent with the details of an intelligence agency report on the incident.
The death of Sinha in a police shooting is an example of how dangerous it is to adopt a strategy of extrajudicial killings to suppress crime and how tragic the consequences can be.
It has been a long-standing norm to issue a press release after any extrajudicial killing. It is understandable that an exceptional step has been taken to form an inquiry committee considering the status of the victim and public reaction to the incident. A four-member committee headed by Chattogram additional divisional commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman has been formed to investigate the incident. Besides, 18 members including Liaquat Ali, in-charge of Shamlapur check post, have been withdrawn after the incident on Sunday.
We hope that the incident will not be put on ice after forming a committee. It is expected that the committee will complete the investigation and submit the report within the stipulated seven working days. The murder of retired army major Sinha is being discussed across the country. It is a significant incident for a number of reasons. It is very important that the report of this inquiry committee be made public in the interest of ensuring transparency. We believe creating unnecessary secrecy or bureaucratic delays with the investigation report will give rise to suspicion among the people. People want to know the truth and they want to see appropriate legal action against any person who violated the law.
People, as it is, are going through various kinds of anxieties during the pandemic. On top of that, the ongoing extrajudicial killings in the country have put an extra strain on their minds. In recent times, we have noticed an effort on the part of the police administration to restore the force's tarnished image. Police continue to play an admirable and positive role during the coronavirus outbreak. The Teknaf incident would be considered a major setback for them. The death of Sinha in a police shooting is an example of how dangerous it is to adopt a strategy of extrajudicial killings to suppress crime and how tragic the consequences can be.
Family members say Sinha wanted to live his life differently. He dreamed of traveling the world. The Cox's Bazar SP himself said the killed retired major, along with four others, had been staying at a resthouse in Himchhari for a month to film a documentary. The version about Recovering 50 yaba pills and a few bottles of foreign liquor from their rooms and shooting Sinha in self-defence, is misleading.
We want to know the truth as soon as possible. Those who are responsible must face exemplary punishment.