Repeal Indemnity Ordinance

Sir, We are so happy to hear that the infamous Indemnity Ordinance that blocks the trial of killers of the founding father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman can be repealed by Jatiya Sangsad by a simple majority. The Indemnity Ordinance is definitely a black law. This law is totally against the spirit of our Constitution. democracy and human rights. Our Constitution provides each and every citizen of country with the right to protection by law. But this ordinance has virtually snatched away the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed in the Constitution. So, the black law like Indemnity Ordinance must be repealed in order to establish rule of law and to give democracy an institutional shape.

The leading legal experts of our country suggest that the Indemnity Ordinance Is not a part of our Constitution. It is one of ' the laws and ordinances gassed during the martial law period which Can always be amended or repealed. It does not require two-third majority In the Parliament to repeal it. An absolute majority is adequate for the purpose. The ruling AL which, at the moment, enjoys the absolute majority in the Jatiya Sangsad can repeal the Indemnity Ordinance without the help of BNP. Therefore, it is now clear that the Indemnity Ordinance is no longer an obstacle for the AL to try the killers of Bangabandhu.

We, the common people, would also like the Indemnity Ordinance to be repealed. We want the trial of all killings irrespective of party affiliation. We want that criminals be brought to justice and the rule of law be established. We firmly believe that criminals of any kind should not be spared of punishment. To spare a criminal Is to fuel terrorism. If the killers of father of the nation go unpunished, the life of the commonman is bound to be Jeopardised. So I call upon AL government to repeal Indemnity Ordinance as soon as possible to allow law to take Its own course.-

Md Khalil Jtbran Fatik Khasdobir, Sylhet.

A request to the readers

Sir, If any reader of The Daily Star can kindly provide me with the following two novels entitled Tn Honour Bound' by Gerald Symour and Stalking Point' by Duncan Kyle. I will in exchange, with pleasure, let him/her have The Devil's Alternative' by Frederick Forsyth and Wild Justice' by Wilner Smith as a token of my gratitude.

Saokot Hossain 67/F. Green Road Dhdka-1205

Law and order problem

Sir. The prime minister's initiative to hold a workshop on the 'Law and Order Problem of the Nation' was welcomed by many, ignored by some, while none was critical .or opposed to it. In my opinion such a workshop Is not unimportant, given the seriousness of the problem, if and when a cross-section of the nation is represented in such a workshop. But. unfortunately, the prime minister's ef fort was rather narrow and effortless almost looked like a DUCSU-sponsored seminar in a national auditorium in the name of national consensus.

If Is heartening to note that there were some people, one of whom drew up professionally right in the heart of the problem and traversed the root through one of the law enforcing agencies and held important offices of the republic finally holding the rank of a secretary. He was ope of the right persons to discuss the matter either with deep frankness or concealed hypocrisy to create smoke-screen for the ruling class. Unfortunately for the ruling circle, this person chose to be righteous and fearless. He initiated the discussion on a very sensitive matter, i.e. the making of the ruling machinery. He pointed out to the misuse of funds by all those who call themselves the law makers of the country, the custodians, the guardian angel*, who have achieved the right to sit in the most beautiful building (a white elephant!) of the nation. He re-

ferred to the dishonesty while they were submitting the accounts to the Election Commission showing that he or she did not spend beyond Tk 3 lakh, the ceiling set for individual expenditure in general election in the country. The justness of the criterlum inspired him to call the entire body of the guardian angels as national liars' parliament. To my mind, he deserves the thanks not only from me, but also from the entire nation.

But, what happened to him was lust contrary to that. He was booed, booed, bullied and cowed Into unconditional apology by the entire band of the offenders. When we seem such a thing happening to the truthful and the righteous, we have no doubt that the workshops are meant to be for the 'holy ones' only. So much for the national consensus of the incumbent government!

The whole episode appeared to be an act of 'terrorism' against the outspoken citizen, who had the right to say what he believed in. This is a denial of basic rights and hence the violation of human rights.

A K M Morshed

Dhanmondi. Dhaka

Dogsquad

Sir, Police dog squads are used in many countries especially In developed countries in respect of detecting crimes and criminals. These dogs are trained in specified fields such as narcotics, criminals and so on. Even police dogs are being utilised In West Bengal for the past two decades or more. In the context of containing terrorism. smuggling, narcotics traffic. human trade etc., as often preached by all the governments In power. I am tempted to request the present government to raise several squads of police dogs for the purpose.

There is no harm to seek as sistance of West Bengal gov ernment as they have expert ence in this field while Bengali was used tn commanding those dogs. Let us eliminate terrorism. narcotics and women trafficking for good with dogs

Ahmedul Alam

14. Eskalon Garden Dhaka-1000