|
IT seems extortion and hijacking have become more virulent on the eve of Eid. Of the incidents in the city, the most talked-about was the daylight looting of a computer graphics company last Tuesday. It was reported that a group of terrorists stormed the office and looked for the owner demanding extortion money. In his absence, they looted the cash box and forced all members of the staff, visitors and clients of the company to pay them and before leaving the shop they opened fire indiscriminately on the computers and other machines. Almost everyday newspapers are carrying reports about robbery in the city.
Meanwhile, it is already reported that the thugs are regrouping to grab the city cattle markets. During the last Eid-ul-Fitr incidents of extortion and hijacking were somewhat contained because of deployment of law enforcers around all the shopping centres. All concerned appreciated the effort.
So, we would welcome any intensified vigilance for the security of life and property of citizens. Cattle traders complained that they had to pay toll not once but all the way as cattle are transported by truck to the market, the destination where there are other groups of extortionists waiting to be appeased. Thus crime cannot be contained at one point.
The home ministry announced that the government is going to take strict security steps to stop extortion from shopping centres and cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul Azha. We are told that 18 mobile courts will be posted at the railway stations and bus and launch terminals and the highway police as well as RAB personnel will be there to ensure security of cattle-laden trucks. It is good to know that elaborate arrangements are being made to give security to traders and to the common people. But the question is when and where. We hope the crime control measure should form a chain all the way from cattle import to the markets in the city. Besides, it is necessary to think about hijacking and robbery in the city.
Zareen Rafa
Niketon, Gulshan
Dhaka
|