Violent crime, including murder, rape, robbery and kidnapping, has increased sharply across Bangladesh in recent weeks, prompting concern among analysts and law enforcement officials.
Police and rights groups say incidents of killings and assaults are occurring in different parts of the country over minor disputes, while extortion, robbery and abduction cases are also rising.
In one recent case, an eight-year-old girl died after being sexually assaulted at Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco Park in Chattogram, where her throat was slit. The child managed to leave the area injured and bleeding but later died in hospital on Monday night.
In Pabna’s Ishwardi, a grandmother was hacked to death on Saturday while trying to prevent the abduction of her granddaughter. The 15-year-old girl was later raped and strangled, according to reports.
In another incident, a teacher at Islamic University in Kushtia was stabbed to death in her office by a university employee on Wednesday.
An analysis of recent incidents shows that around 50 murders have occurred across the country in the past 15 days.
According to the Human Rights Culture Foundation, at least 45 rape cases were reported in February, including 10 gang rapes. The group said 52 percent of the victims were children or adolescents.
The organisation also reported that 236 women and girls faced various forms of abuse, while 41 women were killed in incidents of domestic violence during the same period. In addition, 10 people were killed and 1,933 injured in violence in February.
Crime analysts say multiple factors are driving the rise in violence.
Dr. Touhidul Haque, a social and crime analyst and associate professor at Dhaka University, said, “Atrocities are increasing for three reasons. First, the lack of rule of law. Second, social degradation. Third, the tendency to get impunity due to financial, social or political influence. If these issues are not controlled, atrocities will increase further.”
Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, Additional IG (Crime and Operations) of the Police Headquarters, said, “Initiatives must be taken to prevent the decline of morality. The police cannot do anything alone. However, when criminal incidents including murder, rape, and violence against women occur, those involved are brought under the law.”
Meanwhile, robberies are happening every day across the country. Incidents of stabbing and shooting also occur during this time. Robberies are happening not only in the evening or at night, but also during the day. Armed robber gangs are using microbuses, private cars, and motorcycles.
On March 3, miscreants dressed in police uniforms beat up the driver and robbed an easy bike on the Gobindaganj-Ghoraghat regional highway in Gaibandha. They snatched 75,000 taka and a mobile phone set from the passenger. On the morning of January 12, a woman was robbed of her money and bag after stopping a rickshaw in the housing estate area of Sylhet metropolis.
On February 14, at 8:30 pm, a Dhaka University (DU) Masters student named Sohana Zaman was robbed by a robber in a moving rickshaw at Paltan intersection in Dhaka. The kidnapper snatched her earrings and tore off the student's earlobe, seriously injuring her. Those concerned say that most of the kidnappers are drug addicts. They choose this path to earn money for drugs.
Crime experts said that in order to reduce these incidents, we need to increase social surveillance and come forward to save each other. Law enforcement agencies need to be more proactive in preventing kidnap.
Social and crime expert Dr. Touhidul Haque said, “Kidnapping is still not considered a major crime. Those who are arrested are quickly released on bail from the court and are involved in the same crime.”
The rate of kidnaps in Dhaka metropolis increased by 25 to 30 percent in February. According to the police, 308 kidnaps were recorded in all DMP police stations during this period. However, those concerned believe that the actual number is several times higher.
DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md. Nazrul Islam said, “Intelligence surveillance including checkposts, foot patrolling, patrolling has been increased. Additional forces have been deployed in the capital’s shopping malls and markets and at the book fair.”
Recently, during a virtual meeting with the police superintendents of all districts from the police headquarters, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir said, “Strong steps must be taken to stop robbery, extortion and drugs.”
AIG (Media) of the police headquarters AHM Shahadat Hossain said, “Police patrolling and intelligence surveillance have been strengthened to prevent robbery.”
Bd-pratidin English/TR
