Chattogram District Legal Aid Committee will provide official legal assistance to 14 surrendered pirates. Earlier, a total of 173 pirates surrendered to RAB-7 and Police in various upazilas of the district.
Coordination meetings were organized with the participation of these beneficiaries (surrendered pirates). The pirates surrendered at different stages in Banshkhali, Chakaria, Kutubdia, Maheshkhali and Pekua areas.
Chattogram District Legal Aid Committee organized a coordination meeting at the Smart Mediation Room of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Building on Sunday afternoon with the participation of beneficiaries (surrendered pirates).
District Legal Aid Officer (Senior Assistant Judge) Muhammad Ibrahim Khalil formally handed over the charge of handling the cases on behalf of the surrendered pirates at government expense.
District Legal Aid Officer (Senior Assistant Judge) Muhammad Ibrahim Khalil presided over the meeting and District Legal Aid Assistant Muhammad Ershadul Islam conducted the beneficiaries' meeting.
Among others, who addressed the meeting included legal aid panel lawyer Advocate Mujibur Rahman Khan, Advocate AFM Salah Uddin, Advocate Zafar Iqbal and Asian TV senior reporter Mir Md Akram Hossain.
Legal Aid Committee panel lawyers, journalists, legal aid office beneficiaries and law students of various universities were present.
The pirates said that they surrendered to the RAB-Police on the government's promise. “I will be grateful to Asian TV journalist Akram. He promised to protect our lives. He visited us at home or at different places. We want to go back to normal life. That is why we are seeking legal assistance from District Legal Aid committees for quick settlement of our cases.”
Surrendered pirate chief and UP member Baishya said, “I have now returned to normal life after surrender.” People also voted me as a member of the area. I am doing well with my family. If the government withdraws our case, others will return this way.”
Lawyers said that the cases should be fully recorded. Because there are various allegations including rape, weapons. Beneficiary pirates will always be present to handle cases. Other pirates will refrain from these risky activities in future. All kinds of support will be given to them through District Legal Aid Committee.
In his address of president District Legal Aid Officer Muhammad Ibrahim Khalil said, “We continue to provide other services besides legal services. Helpless people are being provided all kinds of legal assistance including land, matrimonial complications.”
The expenses of the case of helpless people are paid by the government of Bangladesh. The government enacted the Legal Aid Act, 2000 to provide legal aid to the people who are financially poor, helpless and unable to obtain justice due to various socio-economic reasons. National Legal Aid Agency, District Legal Aid Committee activities are being conducted under the said Act.
He said that the government as well as the national organization is working sincerely to expand the government legal aid programme to the grassroots level. District Legal Aid Committee is playing a leading role in implementing the great initiative of the government.
As a result, justice is being established for helpless, poor and oppressed people seeking justice. The legal assistance of the indigent litigant who is unable to litigate due to various reasons is working for sure. Legal aid at government expense is a civil right of indigent litigants. We and the government are working to ensure justice for the helpless and poor people seeking justice.
He also said, “The surrendered pirates will be provided all kinds of support from the District Legal Aid. We provide legal services to helpless people, so that the beneficiaries get these services and return to normal life.
Attend regularly, keep in touch with the lawyer. It will be possible to settle the cases easily and quickly”.
It is known that in the past 2018, 2019 and 2020 with the approval of the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Home Affairs with the mediation of Asian TV Senior Reporter Mir Md Akram Hossain and with the help of RAB and Police respectively 43, 96 and 34 surrendered pirates were given legal assistance by the government and 14 through the Chattogram District Legal Aid Office.