Mob killing should stop

Not too long ago, mob killing of muggers and other petty criminals in broad daylight became something of a regular occurrence in both Dhaka and some other cities. One incident was as grisly as catching an alleged mugger and setting him on fire by pouring kerosene all over his body.

We can understand the frustration and anger caused by the failure of law enforcement, but what is thoroughly repugnant to sensibilities is their taking law into their own hands and beating people to pulp with a harmful demonstrative effect.

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Both the acts of criminals and the reactive lynching are proofs of an aggravating law and order, if any further proof were needed. There is no doubt that if the police had played an effective role in containing the high incidence of robbery in Anwara upazila, then perhaps, the villagers of that area wouldn't have turned so violent themselves. At the same time, we urge the people to be respectful of law. By not believing in the rule of law, by taking law into their own hands to punish criminals, what they did amounted to nothing less than committing another serious crime.