With the 13th National Parliament election approaching, concerns are mounting over a sharp rise in crime and deteriorating law and order across the country. While election campaigning is in full swing, incidents of murder, extortion, land grabbing and political violence are increasing, raising serious questions about the prospects for a free, fair and safe election.
From ordinary citizens to senior law enforcement officials, anxiety is growing over the worsening situation. Many observers have dismissed the government’s much-publicised ‘Devil Hunt Phase-2’ drive as largely symbolic.
At a recent law and order coordination meeting at Rajarbagh Police Lines, Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned that no one would be allowed to break the law during the election, vowing strict action against those involved in criminal activities.
Horrific statistics: Multiple murders occurred every day in the first 25 days of January this year. Police statistics say that in the last five months of last year, 1,565 murders were committed across the country, an average of 313 per month.
Murders increased by 18 percent compared to 2024, and almost 40 percent compared to 2023. In addition, from January to August 2025, 4,316 cases related to murder and robbery were registered, an average of 540 per month.
The murder of Swechchhasebak Dal leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir in the capital's Karwan Bazar on January 23 has highlighted the true picture of the law and order situation.
According to DB police, at least eight to nine extortion syndicates are active in the area. On January 26, labor leaders Masud Rana and Abdul Malek were arrested from an under-construction building in Bhangura, Pabna, on charges of demanding an extortion of Tk 1 lakh. Police said that they were involved in selling land that had been occupied for a long time.
Earlier, Hasibul Islam was hacked to death in an incident involving the kidnapping of teenagers in early January. A young man named Babu was also murdered in Pallabi, the capital, on January 20.
RAB ADG (Operations) Colonel Iftekhar Ahmed told Bangladesh Pratidin that every member of RAB is working with his utmost to maintain the law and order situation. RAB does not consider any criminal based on his other identity. Action is being taken after identifying those involved in the violence.
Political violence is a hotbed: Election violence is also increasing alarmingly. Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Sribardi Upazila Jamaat, was killed in a clash between BNP and Jamaat leaders and activists over sitting on chairs during the election manifesto reading ceremony of candidates in Sherpur.
Although Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin addressed the nation after announcing the schedule, three more political killings took place after that, the matter has come up in the information of the Police Headquarters.
144 violence in 45 days: According to the Police Headquarters, 144 incidents of election violence occurred in at least 25 districts and three metropolises across the country in 45 days from December 12 to January 26. Of these, 55 were clashes between rival supporters, 11 were intimidation and aggressive behavior, six were direct attacks on candidates, and two were cases of illegal use of weapons.
In addition, 17 were incidents of obstruction of campaigning, eight were attacks and vandalism on election-related offices and institutions, 10 were blockades and protests, and one incident of attack on minorities was recorded.
The clashes between rival supporters were most frequent in Cumilla. At least 10 people were injured in continuous clashes in Chauddagram and Homna upazilas. The army had to be deployed to control the situation in several incidents.
In Lakshmipur, there were also clashes between Jamaat and BNP leaders and activists in various areas of Chandraganj and Sadar police stations. Leaders and activists of both parties were injured in these incidents surrounding leaflet distribution and campaigning.
Threats and intimidation: In Atpara, Netrokona, a note was left on the road with straw and a fire was lit with the words 'Election Nirmul Committee'. Shrouds and threatening letters were sent to the house of BNP candidate Shahjahan Chowdhury in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar - death threats were made if he participated in the election.
Experts' warning: Associate Professor and criminologist at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University, Dr. Touhidul Haque said that if conflict-prone areas are not identified and effective measures are not taken quickly, the situation may get out of control. It is not possible to prevent violence with just notices or statements. According to him, lack of democratic tolerance and the mentality of considering opponents as enemies are the main reasons for election violence.
Deaths due to mob violence doubled in two months: According to the Human Rights Culture Foundation (MSF), the number of deaths due to mob violence or mob violence doubled in January this year compared to December last year. In January, 21 people were killed in 28 incidents. In December, 10 people were killed in 24 incidents. In January, 57 unidentified bodies were recovered, compared to 48 in December. Deaths in prison custody have also increased. The number of injuries in political violence in January almost doubled compared to December. The number of deaths increased to four. In addition, 15 cases of minority atrocities were recorded in January, compared to four in December.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
