In the first two months of the so-called drug war, over 200 people got killed in “crossfire” incidents -- which in many cases were in agonizingly similar circumstances, reflecting poorly upon law enforcers’ capacity to protect their captures. It’s not understandable -- under what mandate a galaxy of close relatives of a law-maker’s family, widely perceived and listed as yaba godfathers, not only succeeded remaining out of the drug war dragnet, but also enjoyed the liberty of living in police protection. There was no formal government announcement (as of January 24) of any move to allow yaba dealers an opportunity to surrender though police officials telling media unofficially that it’s going to happen soon. A drug war launched eight months ago now appears to go haywire with no credible probe commissioned in any of the extra-judicial deaths centring this drive, and no punishment meted out to known yaba godfathers -- who continue to enjoy protection thanks to their political clout. If they go unscathed, this drug war will remain questionable, and the cry for justice from the families of 466 people who lost their lives in drug raids over the past eight months will get louder.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 26, 2019 18:00 UTC