Black law always boomerangs
Law made by BNP waits to be used against BNP
A legal weapon introduced by the last BNP-led government in 2002 for use against Awami League is likely to be a boomerang for them when they take to the streets today to enforce hartal.
In the face of strong protest from the then main opposition Awami League, the erstwhile BNP government in October, 2002, made a law titled "The Law and Order Disruption Offence (Speedy Trial) Act".
The then main opposition had then termed it a black law and accused the BNP-led government of suppressing the opposition agitations.
The then BNP government rejected the opposition's allegations and deployed law enforcement agencies to thwart hartals. It also extended the term of the act after expiry of its first two years' term.
A large number of cases were also filed against the then opposition leaders and activists under the speedy trial act for their activities during hartals.
Now, it is the Awami League-led government that extended the term of the speedy trial act by two more years and has already directed law enforcement agencies to take necessary measures against pickets out to enforce hartal today.
The speedy trial act was for quick trial of some offences, mostly committed during major political agitation programmes, particularly hartals.
The law, in fact, strongly discourages pickets forcing unwilling people to observe hartal and holds activities of pickets to enforce hartal as criminal offences.
It says creating obstacle to movements of buses, trucks, ships, trains aircraft or any vehicles or forcing someone to change the direction of vehicles against his or her will or damaging any vehicle or destroying government properties, or demonstration of muscle power in an organised way to create panic are considered offences under the law.
Those found guilty of these charges will be facing two to five years' imprisonment. Lawbreakers may also have to pay fines. And those who abet such crimes will face the same punishment.
The main opposition BNP leaders and activists who will be out on the streets to enforce today's daylong hartal might encounter police as the law enforcement agencies have already said that they would not allow anybody to force people to observe hartal.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque in a press briefing on Friday said police would go tough on pickets if they force people to observe today's hartal.
Police would not allow processions or hartal activities on major streets including DIT, Airport and Minto roads. But the opposition activists are prepared to enforce the hartal, called by the opposition for the first time during this government.
The DMP commissioner said police would stand by the people by acting against the pickets. He warned against vandalism, shutting down of businesses, and barricades on roads. Police would file criminal cases against such pickets, he added.
The DMP also announced to engage at least 20 teams today to take footage of pickets since the law endorses footages, still photographs and audio records as evidence in trials of these offences.
However, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday warned the government not to do anything that may worsen the situation during the party's hartal today.
In the face of strong protest from the then main opposition Awami League, the erstwhile BNP government in October, 2002, made a law titled "The Law and Order Disruption Offence (Speedy Trial) Act".
The then main opposition had then termed it a black law and accused the BNP-led government of suppressing the opposition agitations.
The then BNP government rejected the opposition's allegations and deployed law enforcement agencies to thwart hartals. It also extended the term of the act after expiry of its first two years' term.
A large number of cases were also filed against the then opposition leaders and activists under the speedy trial act for their activities during hartals.
Now, it is the Awami League-led government that extended the term of the speedy trial act by two more years and has already directed law enforcement agencies to take necessary measures against pickets out to enforce hartal today.
The speedy trial act was for quick trial of some offences, mostly committed during major political agitation programmes, particularly hartals.
The law, in fact, strongly discourages pickets forcing unwilling people to observe hartal and holds activities of pickets to enforce hartal as criminal offences.
It says creating obstacle to movements of buses, trucks, ships, trains aircraft or any vehicles or forcing someone to change the direction of vehicles against his or her will or damaging any vehicle or destroying government properties, or demonstration of muscle power in an organised way to create panic are considered offences under the law.
Those found guilty of these charges will be facing two to five years' imprisonment. Lawbreakers may also have to pay fines. And those who abet such crimes will face the same punishment.
The main opposition BNP leaders and activists who will be out on the streets to enforce today's daylong hartal might encounter police as the law enforcement agencies have already said that they would not allow anybody to force people to observe hartal.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque in a press briefing on Friday said police would go tough on pickets if they force people to observe today's hartal.
Police would not allow processions or hartal activities on major streets including DIT, Airport and Minto roads. But the opposition activists are prepared to enforce the hartal, called by the opposition for the first time during this government.
The DMP commissioner said police would stand by the people by acting against the pickets. He warned against vandalism, shutting down of businesses, and barricades on roads. Police would file criminal cases against such pickets, he added.
The DMP also announced to engage at least 20 teams today to take footage of pickets since the law endorses footages, still photographs and audio records as evidence in trials of these offences.
However, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday warned the government not to do anything that may worsen the situation during the party's hartal today.
Sunday, June 27, 2010 06:13 AM GMT+06:00
The Daily Star - Shakhawat Liton - 6 hours ago The then main opposition had then termed it a black law and accused the BNP-led government of suppressing the opposition agitations. ... |
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