13 arrested over killing of Bangladeshis in Libya

Police have arrested 13 people in 22 cases filed across the country till Sunday in connection with the killing of 26 Bangladeshis in Libya on May 28, according to a statement of the police headquarters. 

Under the strict guidelines of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, all police units, including Rapid Action Battalion, Criminal Investigation Department, Police Bureau of Investigation and Dhaka Metropolitan Police, conducted a field operation to arrest those responsible for the trafficking, and the drive is still underway, reads the statement. 

Earlier, in an emergency video conference with all police unit chiefs and higher officials on June 1, the IGP said, "The way our people were brutally killed is totally unacceptable. Bangladesh is no longer in a position that our people will die in such a helpless manner." 

"No one of those who have deceived our citizens, trafficked them abroad and are responsible for the miserable deaths will be spared. Every one of these syndicates will be traced and capital punishment in line with the law will be ensured so that no one dares to play with life and lead any Bangladeshi to death," he warned. 

It is to be noted that Bangladeshis who travel abroad this way usually go to India or other countries first legally using passports and valid tourist or other visas. In all such cases, they left Bangladesh by showing valid travel documents, the statement said. 

Then, in collaboration with brokers and traffickers, they migrate to the Middle East or Libya from India or other countries. 

In addition, sometimes, people cross the border in different ways with the help of brokers. Regardless of the method of repatriation, police have arrested the accused and sent to courts. They have also submitted investigation reports to the courts for judicial procedure whenever any information on human trafficking was received, the statement added.