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Yes to new law, no to 'crossfire'

Staff Correspondent
A special act should be enacted to improve the law and order in the country' instead of killing people in the name of crossfire, speakers yesterday said at the BBC s Bangladesh Sanglap.
However, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, one of the panellists at the dialogue, supported crossfire as a means of controlling criminals when all other efforts go in vain.
The minister said no government wants any extra-judicial killingduring its tenures but crossfire is a reality in our country.
"We talk about human rights whenever a criminal is killed in a crossfire but what about the human rights of those who are killed by criminals," Shajahan questioned in defence of his claim.
" 1 think the incidents of crossfire would come to an end when extortion and hijacking can be stopped,n said the minister.
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He also said people are often scared of filing cases or lodge any complaints against criminals because the legal system in the country virtually does not favour the victim.
BNP leader and former state minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said a special act could be formed to try the listed criminals and the trial should be conducted in a speedy tribunal. Discussions could be held in the parliament in this regard.
"It is now clear that crossfire introduced during our government has ultimately failed to improve the law and order situation in the country," Iqbal said.
Asif Saleh, executive director of Drishtipat, a social development organisation said it is alarming that a minister of the government is talking in favour of extra-judicial killing as a means of improving law and ordersituation.
He said a bill was placed before the House by a ruling party lawmaker to slap a ban on crossfire and for speedy trial of criminals. The law had been passed if the government and opposition would have sincerely wanted to stop extrajudicialkilling.
Sabrina Sultana Chowdhury, assistant professor of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University said killing a criminal through encounter or crossfire cannot be a tool to improve the law and order.
She said such killings might rather spread criminal instincts among people.
Answering a question from an audience about the price hike of rice the minister said the supply of rice is adequate so there is no chance of further increase in rice price.
The dialogue on the contemporary issues of the country organised by BBC's Bangla service was held at tne Bangabandhu International Convention Centre yesterday evening.