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Twelve bodies were recovered from six districts – Naogaon, Cox’s Bazar, Khulna, Tangail, Narsingdi and Sirajganj – within a span of a few hours from Monday night to Tuesday morning, triggering widespread concern over the law and order situation.
Despite the incidents, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir said on Monday that, although the country is facing challenges, “the law and order situation is currently under control.”
In Naogaon’s Niamatpur upazila, four members of a family were found dead in Bahadurpur village on Tuesday morning after being killed in the early hours.
The victims were Habibur Rahman, 35, his wife Popy Khatun, 30, their son Parvez Hossain, 10, and daughter Sadia Khatun, 3.
Police said Habibur, a cattle trader, had returned home on Monday evening after selling cattle, carrying around Tk2.80 lakh, which was stolen. Gold ornaments, including earrings belonging to his wife, were also taken.
Naogaon Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tarikul Islam said initial suspicion suggests attackers entered the house intending robbery and later killed the family to avoid identification. However, investigators are also considering possible family or land-related disputes.
Four people, including relatives, have been detained for questioning.
In Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf upazila, three bodies were recovered from a remote hill area in Baharchhara Union on Tuesday morning.
The deceased were Rabi Alam, Mujibur Ullah and Nurul Bashar alias Halani.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Ukhiya-Teknaf Circle) Md Rakibul Islam said they were attacked with sharp weapons in the early hours at a suspected hill hideout. One died at the scene, while the other two succumbed on the way to hospital.
Locals suggested the killings may be linked to internal conflicts over trafficking activities, though police say they are verifying the claim.
In Tangail’s Mirzapur upazila, police recovered the decomposed bodies of an unidentified woman and a newborn buried under soil beside the Lohajang River in Guntia village on Monday evening.
Residents first noticed a foul smell and later saw human hair emerging from the ground before informing police.
Mirzapur police station OC Abdullah Al Mamun said the woman was likely seven to eight months pregnant and the baby was still in the womb at the time of death. Autopsies have been ordered and efforts are underway to identify the bodies.
In Khulna city’s Nirala residential area, police recovered the hanging body of university student Utsav Roy from a room on the sixth floor of a building on Monday night.
He was a student of North West University and the son of Kankanti Roy from Dakop upazila.
OC Md Shafiqul Islam of Khulna Sadar police station said the body was sent for legal procedures before being handed over to the family.
In Sirajganj’s Raiganj upazila, the body of auto-van driver Jaher Ali Akand, 60, was recovered from the bank of the Fuljor River on Tuesday morning.
He was from Raghunathpur village under Solonga police station.
Family members said he left home with his van on Monday evening and did not return.
OC Aslam Uddin of Solonga police station said the cause of death is yet to be confirmed. The body has been sent for autopsy and an investigation is ongoing.
In Narsingdi, Mujibur Rahman, 55, a textile mill caretaker, was killed on the Narsingdi–Madanpur road near Five Number Bridge early Tuesday.
Police said he was attacked with sharp weapons and his mobile phone and gold ring were taken. He was taken to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
OC ARM Al-Mamun of Narsingdi Model police station said the incident remains under investigation and efforts are underway to identify those involved.
Police say situation under control amid fluctuating crime trends.
The incidents have heightened public concern over law and order.
However, IGP Md Ali Hossain Fakir said on Monday that the situation, though challenging, is “largely under control due to joint efforts of the police.”
He made the remarks at the closing session of a CID quarterly crime review meeting in Dhaka’s Malibagh.
Police Headquarters data shows fluctuating murder figures: 287 cases in January, 225 in February and 317 in March, indicating inconsistency rather than a steady decline.
Police Headquarters spokesperson AHM Shahadat Hossain said, echoing the IGP, that although incidents such as mob violence and other crimes have occurred, “the overall situation has improved compared to last year.”
He added that crime rates typically fluctuate, with sudden rises on some days and falls on others, and that arrests and operations are ongoing.
Expert warns of rising crime and weak oversight
Criminologist Prof Md Omar Faruk of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University said the situation had been stable a month ago after the formation of the new government, but theft and robbery have recently increased.
He warned that “some influential and powerful individuals are also involved in such crimes,” which may trigger cycles of revenge. Economic and social conditions, he added, often influence offenders.
He also criticised what he described as insufficient attention from authorities, noting that crime is sometimes viewed politically rather than as a criminal justice issue. According to him, focus is often diverted to other sectors instead of rising crime.
Prof Faruk cautioned that without urgent government action, crime could increase further, and urged the Home Minister and relevant authorities to take stronger steps amid growing public concern over robbery, mob violence and murder.