Rab into the second year

At the end of the year, we have to ask ourselves at what cost the improvement was achieved. There have been over 200 deaths of alleged criminals in so-called 'crossfire' without reference to any trial or going through prescribed judicial processes whatsoever. The statements issued after each such death have had a surprisingly identical tone, tenor and content. So the credibility of what were claimed to be crossfire casualties has never been above question. The deaths were seen as extra-judicial killings in the absence of any proofs to the contrary.

Regrettably, what has happened is patently antithetical to norms of civility, the rule of law and the constitutional principles guaranteeing the citizens' right to justice, even if they are suspected or accused of criminal offences.

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We have also witnessed some brazen examples of the truism that power corrupts; more than 100 Rab members have so far been brought to book for taking bribe and some of them were even caught while committing robbery! It is welcome news that the authorities have taken action against the errant members. However, corruption in an outfit like this might have already eroded people's confidence in it.

An assessment of Rab's performance in the first one year will show that the gain it had made in terms of initial improvement in law and order has been negated by the methods used by it. Into the second year, we would like to see it fully conform to the standards of human rights, rule of law and due judicial processes.