DHAKA, 27 November 2004 — Some top gangsters in Bangladesh prefer prison to freedom, fearing they — like other notorious criminals reportedly killed “in crossfire” — will die if interrogated by elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Gangsters in jail fear police will make up stories about their alleged attempt at escape during a transfer to another prison and consequent death on being fired by police.
In a controversial case, police said convicted gangster Pichchi Hannan died in crossfire on Aug. 6 after he was taken out of a jail cell for a search.
A local newspaper quoted underworld sources as saying law enforcement officers had held several meetings plotting the fate of eight to ten high-profile gangsters now behind bars.
Since June, 65 people have been killed either in “shootouts” with, or in the custody of, elite forces such as Rapid Action Battalion, Cheetah and Cobra.
The law enforcement agencies, however, insist they work strictly by the book.
But one anonymous police source was more forthcoming. “The present explanation of ‘crossfire’ after the death of any criminal is raising questions about the role of law enforcement agencies,” the source admitted.
He said a new plan has been devised to free law enforcement agencies from public criticism over controversial deaths. “To avoid criticism, the police will report in future that the gangster in question has died in shootouts with other gang members.” He said plainclothes police will handle future operations.
More than 49 people have died in RAB operations. Four have died in operations by Cobra and Cheetah.
A petty criminal released from Dhaka Central Jail recently said many criminals now fear for their lives when being freed either on bail or after the dismissal of cases filed against them. That is why they are not interested in the dismissal of the cases against them, he said. They also fear that once out, they will be rearrested and interrogated under new charges.
Some officials suggest it is better to kill repeat offenders than take the risk of freeing them and hoping that they would not commit further crimes. “They always manage to get bail despite having been involved in different criminal cases,” a government policymaker told the Daily Star on condition of anonymity.
