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The government has ordered a tougher crackdown on crime and indiscipline, while the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is preparing strict organisational action against leaders and activists accused of misconduct, as both seek to protect their public image and restore order.
Sources in the Home Ministry and intelligence agencies said the government had begun compiling lists of criminals involved in murder, extortion, land grabbing and other offences.
“From the top level of the government, a directive has been given to law enforcers to take a hard line to maintain law and order and minimise crime,” a senior home ministry official told the Daily Sun, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The government’s tougher stance was evident in its action against reserved-seat MP Ferdousi Ahmed Misti, who was instructed to resign over the demolition of the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur, Dhaka. She stepped down on 1 October.
Officer-in-charge of Shah Ali police station Jahangir Alam was withdrawn on 26 September over the same incident.
The BNP has also acted against its own ranks.
On 30 September, the party dissolved the BNP Dhaka Metro North Unit and Jubo Dal committees after several leaders were found to have been involved in criminal and controversial activities.
Speaking in Feni on 1 October, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said his government would use “every ounce” of its strength to ensure equal application of the law and progressively restore the rule of law.
Law enforcement agencies estimate that Bangladesh has at least 386 teenage gangs involving 4,250 members. Dhaka alone accounts for 159 gangs with 1,812 members.
On 2 October, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said the government would seek to eradicate juvenile gangs within three months.
Police sources said 3,849 people were on the national list of extortionists, including 1,254 in the capital.
At a monthly crime review meeting at Police Headquarters on 29 September, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir ordered officers to take a tougher approach to juvenile offenders, drug dealers, terrorists and extortionists.
“There is no scope to consider political affiliation,” he said. “An offender’s only identity is that of an offender.”
Senior police officers proposed a major crackdown and, if necessary, detention under the Special Powers Act 1974.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said recently that special drives against extortionists, terrorists, armed criminals and drug dealers were already under way and would be intensified. He also warned that the government would not hesitate to file sedition cases against police officers if discipline was undermined.
BNP vows strict action
BNP leaders said party chairman Tarique Rahman had sent a strong message to senior leaders that he would not tolerate wrongdoing by party members.
The party is also secretly compiling a list of leaders and activists involved in criminal activities for possible organisational action, they said.
“You have already seen that the Prime Minister has given a strong message to party members by taking action against Ferdousi Ahmed Misti,” a senior BNP leader said.
BNP standing committee member Selima Rahman said some people within the party were creating disorder, but stressed that they did not represent the entire organisation. She said “over-ambitious” leaders and activists would be dealt with firmly.
Joint secretary general Syed Emran Saleh Prince said the prime minister’s position against crime was “extremely firm”.
“Strict action will be taken against offenders, whether they are inside the party or outside it,” he said.