A rights group has expressed concern over the lack of any visible progress in identifying and arresting those responsible for the brutal killing of a pir in Daulatpur, Kushtia, days after the attack.
A delegation of the Network for People’s Action (NPA) visited Philipnagar on Sunday to assess the situation following the extremist attack on a shrine and the killing of Pir Abdur Rahman Shamim.
During the visit, the delegation found that no case has been filed yet and that law enforcement has made no visible progress in identifying or arresting the perpetrators, NPA said in a statement.
The victim’s family remains terrified and traumatised, lacking the courage to file a case – a deeply concerning situation for the rule of law, the organisation said.
Speaking with locals, the NPA delegation learned that preparations for the attack began on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, a meeting was held to finalise the plan, and the attack was carried out in an organised manner in the afternoon.
The attack involved not only residents of the concerned village but also people from neighbouring villages, indicating the clearly planned and organised nature of the incident, the rights group said.
NPA said the lack of visible investigation activities or arrests by law enforcement reflects extreme indifference, strengthening a culture of impunity among perpetrators and depriving victims of justice.
Particularly concerning is that police have not even begun the process of identifying the attackers in such a large and organised attack, the group said, adding that this delay and inaction obstruct the justice process and increase the risk of such violence recurring.
NPA demanded that the state immediately ensure security so that the victim’s family can file a case in a fear-free environment, and that law enforcement quickly identify and arrest those involved through a swift and impartial investigation.
The group warned that failing to ensure a swift and impartial trial will further erode public trust in the rule of law and encourage extremist violence.
