Weak deterrents to fuel crime concerns

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

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, at around 1 p.m., a desiccated fishmonger M.D. Jahangir was shot dead at Noapara village in Raozan, Chattogram. Two men who tried to save him were attacked by the attackers.

The previous day, armed muggers 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 Beribadh area.

On January 22, Abdul Kader Sikdar, who runs a foreign exchange business, and his cousin Amir Hamza were stabbed in the upscale Gulshan area of ​​the capital and the attackers allegedly made off with 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 Bijoynagar and Mugda areas of the capital, reportedly over previous hostility and property disputes.

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

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

Farouk said this lack of fear embarrassed them further.

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

Farouk said many officers are not actively participating in their duties and there is a noticeable lack of motivation in the force.

Moreover, weapons and ammunition plundered during the uprising fell into the hands of criminals.

As a result, crimes have increased in severity, Farouk added.

Take the case of Hasibul Islam, a 40-year-old pharmaceutical professional who was murdered by assailants within the confines of his home.

On January 2, around 2 a.m., he returned home to 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 Hanif’s wife and 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 home.

Crowd violence is also assumed.

On January 22, a 32-year-old man named Rubel was tied to a banyan tree in Thakurgaon and beaten to death for allegedly stealing motorcycles.

Even the police were not spared 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.

The attack was reportedly an attempt to free the leader from custody following his arrest for attacking two computer traders.

On January 10, two computer shop owners, Wahedul Hasan Dipu and Ehteshhamul Haque, were stabbed near Multiplan Center for counter-extortion. Top criminal Sanjidul Haque Emon and his associates have been accused in this case.

What is more disturbing is that criminals pose as members of the Joint Force or Directorate General of Force Intelligence (DGFI) while committing crimes.

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

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

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

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

A day later, Touhid Ahmed, an officer at Gulshan police station, was suspended for allegedly delaying in filing a case in connection with the robbery incident.

“We have already increased vigilance and are conducting a drive to arrest the named criminals and robbers – no matter who the criminals are, no one will be spared,” Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Dhaka Metropolitan Police Service told SN MD Nazrul Islam.

Police crime figures show an increase in some crimes.

From September to December last year, 243 cases of robbery were filed nationwide, up from 98 the year before.

During this period, there were 563 robberies, 302 kidnappings and 949 burglaries. At this time of year the year before, robberies were 396, kidnappings were 160, and burglaries were 859.

During the same period in 2024, a total of 947 murder cases were recorded, but in 2023 it was 956 in 2023.

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

“In metropolitan areas, police arrest robbers. Moreover, regular patrols and tactical operations are being conducted across the country to apprehend the culprits behind these incidents,” he added.