Check mental fitness of RAB, police personnel: NHRC chief

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chief Mizanur Rahman has suggested that members of the law-enforcing agencies, who are issued firearms, should be examined to determine whether they are mentally fit to be in the job.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 23 Oct 2014, 02:38 PM
Updated : 23 Oct 2014, 02:38 PM

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While visiting one Shah Alam, who was allegedly shot at by a sub-inspector over personal vendetta, at the National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) on Thursday, he said such tests should be conducted at least once a month.
“It should be examined whether they are mentally capable and prepared to carry firearms and discharge duties,” Rahman said.
He said it would be “regrettable” if the law enforcers violate human rights due to mental pressure.
“The law keepers cannot behave inhumanly and brutally with the general people,” the NHRC chief said.
“The state has utterly failed to safeguard human rights in the Shah Alam-shooting incident.”
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police SI Anwar Hossain shot Alam, a car driver, in both legs on Sunday and then staged firearms seizure drama in a bid to cover-up the incident.
Hossain was arrested on Wednesday night and the victim’s brother filed a case against him for trying to kill Alam.
Rahman said the state’s failure in protecting human rights was becoming apparent.
“It’s been proven that several RAB personnel were involved in shooting and maiming Limon [Hossain]. They must be put on trial without further delay,” he said.
New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has been demanding trial of elite police unit RAB’s personnel over the shooting of Jhalakathi youth Limon.
It had previously demanded disbanding RAB, calling it a 'death squad' which was 'beyond reform'.
State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has dubbed the Mar 23, 2011 incident a “mere accident”.
Doctors amputated one of Limon’s legs to save him.
According to the state minister, Limon was one of those unfortunate persons who find themselves at the wrong end of things when law-enforcers are in action.