Crime surges amid inaction of the law enforcers
AIG says crime rate goes up and down, but police are active in ensuring public safety
In the early hours of Monday, just moments after Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury vowed to take stern action against criminals during a press briefing, another violent crime occurred just 8km from his residence.
A garment worker, Ariful Islam, 27, was stabbed in the Dakshinkhan area of the capital. Ariful succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital. His body was discovered on the street at around 5am by police.
Dakshinkhan Police Station Sub-Inspector Mozammel Haque told The Business Standard that Ariful was stabbed while on his way home, but no suspects have been found.
This tragic incident adds to a growing list of violent crimes, including robberies, muggings and shootings, which have caused widespread fear across the country. Many citizens now hesitate to venture out after dusk, as anxiety grips communities.
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Amid this escalating violence, calls for the resignation of the home adviser have grown louder, fuelled by social media reports detailing these alarming incidents.
In response, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today dismissed the calls, saying, "You have been asking for my resignation many times. But you will see action starting this evening, and the law and order situation will improve gradually."
Meanwhile, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul acknowledged the government's failures, particularly in the police and judicial systems, saying there is no denying the "interim government's failures".
He added, "We are working with a dysfunctional institution, especially the police administration and the judiciary. It is taking us some time to recover."
Troubling crime stats
The latest crime statistics paint a troubling picture. Reports show a sharp increase in criminal activity when comparing January 2025 to the same month in 2024.
Cases of women and children repression rose from 1,043 in January 2024 to 1,440 this year. Theft cases increased from 749 to 797, while burglaries rose from 228 to 262.
Murder cases surged from 232 to 294, and robbery cases nearly doubled, from 114 to 171. Kidnapping incidents saw a significant increase, jumping from 51 to 105 cases.
Regarding the rise in crimes, Assistant Inspector General of Police Enamul Haque explained that crime patterns fluctuate from month to month.
"Crime surges and dips, but we remain active in ensuring public safety," he said.
He mentioned that on-the-ground police officers are facing a public backlash whenever they attempt to enforce law and order, unless it involves actions against members of the Awami League.
"Maintaining law and order requires the active participation of citizens. We encourage the public to assist the police in upholding the law and curbing crime across the country."
TBS spoke with over a dozen police officials nationwide. A number of them claimed they were unable to take action unless the accused were affiliated with the Awami League or its associated organisations.
TBS also reported at least 23 open shootout incidents across the country in the past two months.
Human rights activist Abu Ahmed Faijul Kabir told TBS that a sense of fear has gripped the nation, with daylight shootings and stabbings becoming a daily occurrence.
"We can analyse crime data to get a sense of the situation, but what's different now is the widespread fear among citizens… Recent incidents reveal that the law and order framework is failing, which is deeply concerning," he added.
