Weak deterrents fuel fears about crime

Despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies, crimes such as murder, extortion and robbery continue to plague various parts of the country.

On January 24, Arnob Kumar Sarker, a 28-year-old MBA student at Khulna University, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at around 9:15 p.m. at Tetultala junction in Khulna.

On the same day, around 1 p.m., dried fish trader Md Jahangir was shot dead at Raozan village in Chattogram’s Noapara. The attackers attacked two men who tried to save him.

The previous day, armed robbers shot dead a jewelry dealer and reportedly stole 50 bhori of gold and Tk 3.5 lakh from his possession in Dhaka’s Kamrangirchar area. The incident took place around 11 p.m. in the Beribadh area.

On January 22, Abdul Kader Sikdar, who ran a currency exchange office, and his cousin Amir Hamza were stabbed in the upscale Gulshan area of ​​the capital and the attackers allegedly made off with an amount of Tk 1 crore.

On the same day, two men – Sazu Mollah, a chauffeur, and Rimon Hossain, a vegetable seller – were murdered in separate stabbing incidents in the capital’s Bijoynagar and Mugda districts, reportedly over previous enmity and property disputes.

Omar Faruk, professor at the Department of Criminology and Police Studies at Mawlana Bhashani University of Science and Technology, said criminals perceive the current environment as favorable to their activities as the morale of law enforcement agencies, including the police, has been severely damaged by the insurgency.

“As a result, criminals act recklessly, often in broad daylight, and the deterrent effect is no longer sufficient because they believe there will be no significant consequences,” he said.

This lack of fear emboldened them even more, Farouk said.

“From the beginning, there was a lack of trust between the police and the public. Now we have a crisis of confidence on both sides.”

Faruk stated that many officers do not actively participate in their duties, and there is a noticeable lack of motivation among officers.

Moreover, weapons and ammunition looted during the uprisings fell into the hands of criminals.

As a result, the seriousness of crimes has increased, Faruk added.

Take the case of Hasibul Islam, a 40-year-old pharmacist who was murdered by attackers in his home.

On January 2, around 2 a.m., he returned to his home in Gazipur with his family after visiting his in-laws in Dhaka.

While unloading their belongings, six to seven youths approached them and started harassing Hasibul’s wife and Hanif’s brother-in-law.

When Hasibul, Hanif and driver Shimul protested, the attackers attacked them. Despite retreating home, the attackers followed them and killed Hasibul in his house.

Mob violence is also on the rise.

On January 22, 32-year-old Rubel was tied to a banyan tree in Thakurgaon and beaten to death in connection with the alleged theft of a motorcycle.

Even the policemen did not escape the attacks.

At least five police personnel were injured when supporters of the Chhatra Dal leader allegedly attacked them at the New Market police station on January 24.

According to reports, the attack was an attempt to free the leader from custody for attacking two computer dealers.

On January 10, two computer shop owners, Wahedul Hasan Dipu and Ehteshamul Haque, were stabbed near Multiplan Center for opposing extortion. Top criminals Sanjidul Haque Emon and his associates were accused in the case.

What is more disturbing is that criminals are committing crimes by impersonating themselves as members of the joint forces or the Directorate General of Armed Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

Police on January 25 arrested 12 people impersonating DGFI members while trying to rob a flat in Khulshi area of ​​Chattogram.

The suspects were caught red-handed on the eighth floor of the Sanmar Royal Reach building, where they targeted the residence of former Managing Director of Jamuna Oil Company, Giash Uddin Ansari.

On January 22, police foiled a robbery plan and arrested four suspects, including two serving in the army, near the Banani Star Kabab restaurant in the capital.

On January 11, a group of robbers posing as members of the joint force barged into a businessman’s house on Road 29 on Gulshan Avenue and looted Tk 46 lakh in cash, 60 bhori of gold jewelry and other valuables.

A day later, Touhid Ahmed, commander of the Gulshan police station, was suspended for allegedly delaying filing a case in connection with the attack.

“We have already increased vigilance and are carrying out operations to arrest criminals and robbers on the list – no matter who the criminals are, no one will be spared,” Md Nazrul Islam, additional commissioner of crime and operations, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told SN .

Police crime figures show an increase in some crimes.

A total of 243 robbery cases were filed across the country from September to December last year, up from 98 the year before.

During this period, there were 563 robberies, 302 kidnappings and 949 burglaries. A year earlier at this time, there were 396 robberies, 160 kidnappings and 859 burglaries.

During the same period in 2024, a total of 947 murder cases were recorded across the country, but the figure for 2023 was 956, according to crime data.

Police are actively working to combat crime, said Enamul Haque Sagor, deputy inspector general (media) at Police Headquarters.

“In metropolitan areas, police arrest robbers. In addition, regular patrols and tactical operations are carried out throughout the country to catch the perpetrators of these incidents,” he added.