By Abu Hena Rasel (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
The overall law and order situation in Bangladesh has drastically deteriorated. Following the political transition of 2024, the country has witnessed an alarming rise in incidents of murder, rape, abduction, extortion, and even direct attacks on law enforcement agencies. According to the latest data, the country is averaging more than 10 murders per day, placing citizen security and human rights at grave risk.
Despite strict directives from the government to restore normalcy, visible progress on the ground remains negligible. As a result, deep-seated unease and public anxiety are mounting across the nation.
Assault on Police and the Terror of ‘Teen Gangs’
On June 17 (Tuesday), the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Adabar Police Station, Jahidul Islam, and Sub-Inspector (SI) Tarun were severely injured while conducting a raid on a muggers’ den in the capital’s Adabar area. The armed criminals attacked the police team behind Delta Garments when officers attempted to apprehend them following a machete-point robbery. In self-defense, police opened fire, leaving two muggers shot, while four suspects were detained from the scene.
Just a day prior, on the morning of June 16, a notorious teen gang known as the ‘Kobji Kata Group’ (Wrist Cutters) hacked a bKash (mobile financial service) agent’s right hand with a machete on Adabar Road 7, fleeing with 300,000 BDT and his mobile phone. Local residents complain that this teen gang has established a reign of terror, dominating mugging, extortion, and illegal land-grabbing across Adabar, Shyamoli, and Mohammadpur.
915 Murders in Three Months: A Grim Statistical Reality
Official data compiled by Police Headquarters underscores the staggering state of lawlessness. Over the past three months (March, April, and May) of the current year, a total of 915 murder cases were registered nationwide.
* March: 317 murders (immediately following the new government taking office).
* April: 288 murders.
* May: 310 murders.
Comparative Analysis and Regional Spread:
The figures mark a sharp increase compared to previous years. During the same three-month period, the actual number of homicides stood at 767 in 2025 and 794 in 2024. This year, the Dhaka Range recorded the highest number of killings with 207 cases, followed by Chittagong with 186, Rajshahi with 106, and Khulna with 84. Among metropolitan areas, the capital city Dhaka topped the list as usual with 57 murders.
The Nexus of Political Feuds and Underworld Dominance
According to criminologists, violence has taken on a deadlier dimension as several top terrorists and convicted criminals have returned to the country or been released on bail following the political shift in August 2024. Notorious underworld figures like ‘Killer Abbas’, Sweden Aslam, ‘Picchi Helal’, Sanjidul Islam Imon, ‘Freedom Rasu’, Molla Masud, and Tokai Sagar are reportedly desperate to reclaim their lost empires and settle old scores. This has led to brazen, daylight assassinations in various areas, including Dhaka’s court premises.
Simultaneously, political rivalries and internal party feuds have spilled onto the streets. Data from the human rights organization Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) reveals:
* March: 18 killed and 912 injured (15 shot) in 113 political clashes.
* April: 6 killed and 533 injured (37 shot) in 98 incidents.
* May: 5 killed and 289 injured (11 shot) in 64 incidents.
A major portion of this violence stems from the internal feuds of ruling political factions. For instance, in Chittagong’s Raujan, at least 25 people have been killed since August 5, 2024, with 18 of those deaths directly linked to political rivalries- most of whom were local BNP activists. Furthermore, on June 1, a violent clash between two local factions of the BNP in Jhenaidah’s Kaliganj left two brothers dead.
Structural Weaknesses and Expert Concerns
A special countrywide drive launched on May 1 resulted in the arrest of over 18,000 individuals, yet criminologists argue it has done little to curb the ongoing violence.
Professor Omar Faruk of the Department of Criminology and Police Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University blamed the situation on the lack of institutional accountability within the police force and a deficit of political will. He noted- ‘Over a thousand firearms looted from police stations remain unrecovered, while illegal arms smuggling continues unabated. Criminals released after August 5 are utilizing these weapons under political patronage. Due to a lenient stance by law enforcement, criminals feel they can operate with impunity. Furthermore, the initiative to form an independent Police Commission fell apart due to political disagreements, stalling improvements in police professionalism and turning the country into a sanctuary for criminals.’
Government Stance and Police Response
A senior official at Police Headquarters stated that law enforcement agencies are actively working to overcome their initial inertia. He pointed out that while underworld criminals previously feared extrajudicial measures (such as crossfires), the police are now strictly adhering to international law and human rights protocols, making the legal process more time-consuming.
Addressing the political killings, the administration maintained that internal party feuds cannot be contained by police action alone, as deep-rooted socio-economic factors are also at play. However, officials emphasized that clear directives have been issued by the government: no criminals will be spared regardless of their political identity, and law enforcement has been ordered to bring them to justice swiftly.
Despite repeated government assurances, the lack of tangible improvement on the ground has fueled intense public frustration and a pervasive sense of insecurity, heavily reflected in outcries across social media. Restoring order, recovering illegal firearms, reforming the police force, and ruthlessly suppressing criminal elements within political parties remain critical steps for rebuilding a democratic and peaceful society in Bangladesh.
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The Writer:
Abu Hena Rasel: Senior Crime Reporter and Contributor, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
