Crime Is Rising, So Is Concern

Five horrifying incidents occurred in Dhaka in a single day. First, an SI of the Special Branch was beaten to death in Aminbazar, Savar. Second, a woman was shot inside her own home in Darus Salam, Mirpur. Third, a businessman was shot after gunmen entered his shop in Kadamtali. Fourth, a young man was shot dead in Sabujbagh. Fifth, another young man was shot dead in Jatrabari.

According to a report published by Jugantor, these incidents occurred between Saturday evening and 10pm Sunday. Earlier, the body of a man with his mouth covered with scotch tape was recovered from the Banani section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway. Before that, a schoolteacher died tragically after falling from an autorickshaw when a mugger snatched her belongings in front of the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building.
If this is the state of law and order in the capital itself, the situation elsewhere in the country can easily be imagined. It is worth mentioning that recently, a retired teacher in Rangpur was killed along with other members of his family. Such killings are occurring frequently. Besides, terrorism, extortion, illegal occupation, theft, robbery, mugging and violent crime have virtually become common occurrences. Gun violence has increased recently, pushing public concern to an extreme level.

People are being forced to spend their days in fear and helplessness. From the capital to remote villages, there is no security for people’s lives, assets or property anywhere. Several areas of the capital, including Mohammadpur and Mirpur, have become safe havens for killings, terrorism, mugging and violent crime. Similarly, various areas of metropolitan cities such as Chattogram and Khulna have become open grounds for criminals to operate freely.

According to data from Chattogram Metropolitan Police, at least 125 murder cases were filed in the metropolitan area from August 2024 to May this year. At least 25 people were killed in the first seven months of this year. Raozan Upazila of the district has gained notoriety as a valley of killings. A murder also occurred there very recently.

Killings are also occurring frequently in Khulna metropolitan area. At least 61 people have been killed there in the past 20 months. According to Police Headquarters data, 1,782 murder cases were filed across the country in the six months from February to July. The figure was 1,585 during the same period the previous year. Not only killings, but other crimes have also increased at the same pace. Violence against children and women, rape, and killings and injuries stemming from family disputes are particularly worth mentioning in this regard. It appears that people are being attacked both by individuals outside their families and by their own family members.
Allegations of a husband killing his wife and child in Atrai, Naogaon; sons killing their father and stepbrother in Dinajpur; a younger brother-in-law killing his sister-in-law and nephew in Manikganj; a husband killing his wife and mother-in-law in the capital’s Kalabagan; and a father killing his two young sons in Sunamganj present a picture of families and society that cannot in any way be described as normal.

According to sources, 19 incidents of family killings occurred across the country in six months, claiming 50 lives. Observers believe that the erosion of family and social values is a major cause of violence against women and children, rape and family killings. Uncontrolled greed, deprivation, poverty, jealousy and a desire for revenge have also contributed to the situation.

The government is responsible for ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order. The police, as the law enforcement agency, perform this responsibility on behalf of the government. Since law and order have deteriorated severely, should ordinary citizens conclude that the police are failing or continuing to demonstrate failure? There is no doubt that the police have been unable to demonstrate sufficient skill and competence in ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order. There are various reasonable causes behind this. The government must identify those causes and ensure their prompt resolution.

The image of the police has been severely damaged by the perception that they were collaborators of the fascist regime. Restoring this image is a major challenge for the government and senior police officials. No matter how great the challenge, there is no alternative to succeeding in it. If the police become active and responsible and are brought under accountability, it can naturally be hoped that law and order will improve and public safety will be ensured as much as possible.

The question is: Can the desired improvement in law and order and assurance of public safety be achieved without addressing the erosion of values in our families, society and state? It cannot. Therefore, efforts must be made to restore values everywhere.

Families, society and the state must take initiatives to restore values within their respective spheres. Religious education and good morals can play a decisive role in restoring values in all areas. In that case, religious education should be made compulsory in the education system. Heads of families should ensure religious education and the practice of morality within their families. Social leaders must take responsibility for promoting social education and developing values. In this way, the state or government must also fulfill its responsibility.

Then it will be seen that families, society and the state have gradually changed from within. Even then, it cannot be claimed that crime will disappear completely, because people have an inherent tendency toward crime. Therefore, the state, government and law enforcement agencies must always take a firm stance against crime. There must be zero tolerance toward criminals. We expect the government to take appropriate measures to control law and order and ensure public safety.