RAB operations

Regrettably we had another instance of RAB excess the other day, when it raided a wrong house, resulting in harassment and humiliation of the inmates not to mention reckless damage to property. Reportedly, RAB has expressed regret for their mistake, but one shudders at the prospect of the serious physical harm that could have come to the inmates.

It appears that RAB does not work under any prescribed or laid down procedure of operations. Had that been so, the commando style raid would have been avoided. While actions against criminals are welcome, what happened in this instance raises concerns in those that are law abiding and would not like to be subject to such ignominy and humiliation.

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We feel that a special force such as the RAB must make hardened and wanted criminal their targets. Doing otherwise would be a misuse of important government resources. Our understanding is that some of the targets that the RAB has gone after could well have been left to the police to handle.

While we acknowledge the government's compulsions to invoke new measures and means to arrest the slide in the law and order situation, imprudence in the work of the law enforcing agencies must be avoided.

Anti-crime drive needs full cooperation of the common man and the law-abiding citizens. Ham handed operations will only lead to public frustration and loss of confidence in RAB, and there is a good chance that it will become a monster.

We suggest the government reign in RAB before is becomes so.