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Zakir Hossain / Dhaka
Six months into Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh’s interim government, law and order remain a major concern, with incidents of mugging, extortion and murder continuing to plague the country.
Many citizens feel unsafe as law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, struggle to reassert control despite numerous arrests of suspected criminals. In parts of Dhaka, residents are afraid to venture out after dark as machete-wielding muggers operate even in broad daylight.
Arup Debnath, a software engineer, shared his ordeal: “I was mugged twice in Mohammadpur—once in November and again in January. No hour feels safe anymore. People are not just being robbed but also stabbed and hacked.”
Authorities also struggled to manage crowds during the demolition of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence in Dhanmondi and structures linked to the Awami League and its leaders across the country.
Official data reflects a sharp rise in crime. Between September and December 2024, police recorded a significant spike in dacoity cases (243, up from 98 in 2023), robberies (553 vs. 396), kidnappings (302 vs. 160), and burglaries (949 vs. 859). Murder cases stood at 947, slightly down from 956 in the same period in 2023. However, deaths from mob beatings saw a sharp rise, with 128 fatalities in 2024, compared to 51 the previous year.
Attacks on Sufi establishments have also surged. On January 23, the Global Sufi Organisation claimed that over 80 shrines and Sufi centers had been targeted in the past six months, while government data confirmed at least 40 attacks on such sites since August 4. Despite this, little action has been taken against the perpetrators.
The release of top criminals following the political transition has fueled concerns. Reports of extortion have surged, with incidents of businesspeople being forced to pay protection money. In November 2024, a contractor had to pay BDT 3 lakh to local gangs to continue demolition work in capital’s Moghbazar.
In January, top criminal Imamul Hasan Helal alias Picchi Helal’s brother, Wahedul Hasan Dipu, was among two traders attacked by a rival gang for refusing to pay extortion money on Dhaka’s Elephant Road. Helal himself was implicated in a murder case shortly after his release from jail in September 2024.
The business community in Dhaka is growing increasingly anxious. Contractors in the construction sector face threats, while other business owners fear abduction and violence. CCTV footage has captured criminals firing near an under-construction building in Dhaka’s Hazaribagh, allegedly to intimidate the builder.
A veteran automobile businessman from Beribadh, Mohammadpur, said he had never seen such a lawless environment in his 30-year career. “Criminals extorted BDT 10 lakh from me after August 5 and are demanding more,” he said. “Muggers now openly attack people in Rayerbazar and Beribadh, escaping through the graveyard. I fear moving alone after dark.”
Many victims choose not to file complaints. In Mohammadpur, six out of seven mugging victims interviewed opted for general diaries rather than cases, fearing legal hassles.
Criminologists suggest that criminals perceive the current situation as favorable, given the weakened state of law enforcement. Omar Faruk, a professor at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, stated: “Criminals no longer fear consequences, emboldening them further. There is a crisis of trust between the public and police, and many officers lack motivation.”
The looting of arms and ammunition during last year’s uprisings has exacerbated the situation, leading to more violent crimes.
Police officers admit to feeling demoralized. One Dhaka police station OC, requesting anonymity, said, “People no longer fear the police. Even for minor reasons, they behave aggressively toward us, making officers reluctant to go on patrol.”
A traffic constable from Dhaka’s Ramna Division added: “When we try to penalize traffic violators, some refer to the ‘blood on the hands of the police’ during the uprising.”
Another officer pointed out: “Even after an OC was publicly attacked and beaten in Chattogram, no case was filed. This has discouraged officers from taking risks.”
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam acknowledged the police force’s crisis of confidence. “Before the uprising, the police were used as a tool of a fascist government, which fueled public resentment. Our challenge now is to restore trust and ensure the police never become anti-people again,” he stated.
Interim government home adviser Lieutenant General (retired) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury admitted that law and order were not yet fully satisfactory but assured that efforts were being made to improve the situation.