Compensate the victims of political violence

Though the price for democracy has been paid most by the people of the country, the state never considered compensating them. A recent report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) reminded the state of these liabilities.

According to the report, though the government has taken a number of praiseworthy steps for the distressed and the disadvantaged, it could not do so for the victims of political violence.
Since 2010, there have been 14,000 incidents of political violence in the country rendering 15 to 30 per cent of the total population victimised. These persons have not received any government assistance.
These victims are used for politics but no steps are taken to address their sufferings. The sacrifices made by these people in the political movements are not recognised either. The heroic sacrifice of Noor Hossain in 1987 has turned into a symbol of political movement. Today, the associates of that autocrat make snide remarks about Noor Hossain.
The report presents a comparative analysis of political violence in the South Asian countries. It shows the highest number of people being affected by such violence and conflicts are from Bangladesh.
Next there is Pakistan followed by India and Sri Lanka. The worst scenario in Bangladesh occurred before and after the 2014 elections. Some of the victims and their families were given assistance, but were not included in any legal framework.
These clashes did not only occur between different political parties. They occurred among different factions of the same party too. People also were killed. Such an occurrence happened in Adabar, Mohammadpur recently. Two young workers died in a clash between two groups of Awami League nomination seekers.
Who is to take responsibility of such killings? We hardly expect anyone to be punished for this. Power politics uses the working class, but never takes the responsibility if they are affected.
The state must ensure assistance for the victims and their families. The compensation can be extracted from the responsible offenders.
Tazrin Fashions is an example in hand, where the court ordered the authorities concerned to pay compennsation to the victims.

Steps to compensate the victims can be seen as an effective measure taken by the state to prevent political violence. A list should be made naming the victims and the affected families. It is not acceptable that the people will be victims of politics, and yet the state takes no responsibilities.
We need to ask ourselves whether we want to break this vicious cycle of politics prior to the 11th parliamentary elections.