Is the deterioration in law and order deliberate?

All of a sudden, one incident after another is taking place. Terrorist attacks, extortion and acts of vandalism have suddenly flared up in various places.

Following an attack, vandalism and looting at content creator Salman Muqtadir's studio in New Guinea Properties near the capital's ECB Circle, allegations have also emerged of attacks on several neighbouring houses and structures. Md Pollob Ali, an official of New Guinea Properties, said that the attackers arrived in five pickup trucks carrying firearms. They entered the housing complex, firing shots as they moved forward.

According to eyewitnesses, the attack, vandalism and looting began at around 10.30pm last Saturday and continued until 11.30pm. Upon receiving the news, the police eventually arrived at the scene, leading to a chase and counter-chase between the police and the attackers. Several gunshots were heard at the time. As the attackers were numerous, the police had to fall back. The attackers later broke through a gate and escaped.

Last Thursday, at around midnight, another incident of vandalism and looting took place at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1. Around 200 masked individuals armed with locally made weapons reportedly entered the facility and took two security guards hostage. They subsequently looted valuable equipment, medicines, vaccines, cash and other goods. Heavy machinery was then used to bulldoze the entire facility, including one brick structure and three semi-brick buildings.

Such incidents have sparked fear among the general public while giving rise to widespread anger and frustration. Concerns and anxieties about the country's law and order situation have been growing in recent times.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern and anger over the looting and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP health centre in Mirpur and the office of the content creator at ECB Chattar. The organisation stated that these events are not isolated incidents, but rather an ominous sign for the government and the ruling party. TIB called for exemplary accountability for those involved, along with a nationwide self-purification drive within the party.

Expressing concern over recent events, the secretary general of the main opposition party in the national parliament, Golam Porwar, said, "Due to the severe deterioration of the law and order situation, we are on the verge of losing the dream of a peaceful and humane Bangladesh that we envisioned. The government must take swift action regarding this."

However, the home minister told journalists that any attempt to destabilise the law and order situation would be dealt with firmly. The minister stated that strict measures were being taken against criminals regardless of their political affiliation. "A criminal has no political identity; a criminal is simply a criminal." He added that the government was consistently maintaining a 'zero-tolerance' policy to enforce law and order, ensure public safety and establish good governance, as stated by Salahuddin Ahmad.

Since August 2024, widespread allegations of land grabbing, extortion and attempts to establish dominance have emerged against certain miscreants allegedly exploiting the BNP's name. Many individuals associated with the fallen Awami League are reportedly infiltrating the BNP in an attempt to tarnish the party's image. Concerns have also been raised that anti-BNP operatives have covertly entered the party to commit such misdeeds.

The activities of these covert infiltrators span various sectors, including bus terminals, footpaths, local markets, water bodies, sand quarries, cable networks and internet businesses. Internal disputes and clashes over these issues are occurring, with efforts reportedly being made to pin the blame on the government. Experts believe that the country's law and order situation is deteriorating precisely because of these infiltrators, covert operatives and cronies of the Awami League.

Several key factors can be identified behind the recent deterioration in the country's law and order situation.

First, inaction within the police force. The role of police personnel in curbing crime has come under question in various areas. The home minister himself acknowledged police negligence in several incidents. The minister noted that initial evidence of police inaction and dereliction of duty had been found regarding the attack, looting and vandalism at the Radda Clinic in Mirpur's Shah Ali Thana area.

He announced that the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shah Ali police station was immediately withdrawn following the midnight incident on 25 September, and that departmental proceedings were being initiated against him. The minister emphasised that transfer is not the final step in cases of negligence of duty or involvement in criminal acts. If an officer is involved in sedition or any other criminal offence, regular legal cases, alongside strict departmental action, are being pursued. Pointing to the previous example involving the investigation, forensic testing, sedition charges and arrest of the former OC of Cantonment police station, the minister made it clear that crime would not be tolerated within the police force.

However, the underlying reasons for police inaction must be identified. If police personnel neglect their duties at the behest of external influences, this poses a major threat to the government. The government must investigate the matter promptly and take the necessary steps. If this inaction stems from issues related to police uniforms, transfers or other demands, those concerns must also be addressed through dialogue. Police inaction jeopardises public safety and damages the government's image. Action is required immediately. Mere punishment is not enough to restore momentum to the force; the government must address the root causes of the problem and find solutions.

Second, misdeeds committed by criminals using the ruling party's name. Since August 2024, many identified terrorists and extortionists from the fallen Awami League have allegedly infiltrated the BNP. Their primary motive is reportedly to engage in terrorism, extortion and various criminal acts for financial gain. They take shelter under whichever party is in power to carry out these activities. During this period, many covert operatives allegedly infiltrated the BNP as part of a plot to ruin its image and defame the party. These covert infiltrators must be identified, and strict action must be taken against them. The home minister clearly stated that a criminal's only identity is that of a criminal. Although the BNP has taken action against many of its leaders and activists since August 2024, such incidents persist. The ruling BNP must exercise greater strictness in this regard.

Third, a deliberate orchestration of the deterioration in law and order. These incidents form part of a broader political conspiracy aimed at undermining the government. A group remains active in attempting to render the government unpopular. The government needs to examine whether this group is intentionally orchestrating chaos in order to fish in troubled waters.

After taking power following the chaotic conditions created during the Yunus administration, the BNP government brought about visible improvements in the law and order situation. However, the situation has deteriorated again in recent times. While these incidents may appear isolated on the surface, they are interconnected. The singular goal behind all of them is to embarrass the government. Therefore, without further delay, the government must conduct a thorough investigation, identify the perpetrators and restore public trust.