Shahariar Islam Sovon :
The country is experiencing a sharp rise in criminal activities amidst a significant political transition ahead of some major reforms to hold free and fair elections in the very coming days.
Law enforcement agencies have reported increases in robbery, extortion, political violence, and cybercrime, raising concerns among citizens and policymakers.
Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir has attributed the rise in crime to a lack of effective prevention mechanisms. Speaking to The New Nation, he highlighted that law enforcement agencies, excluding the Bangladesh Army, were largely inactive for a period following August 5, allowing law and order to deteriorate.
He stressed the urgent need for enhanced police patrolling, comprehensive monitoring, and the identification of crime hotspots. “Proper monitoring and a proactive approach are essential to maintaining law and order,” he stated.
Advocate Shishir also urged political parties to discourage their activists from engaging in unlawful activities and called for a united stance against crime to promote accountability and uphold the rule of law.
Crimes experts have pointed out that some parts of the Penal Code are outdated, failing to address modern offences. They have called for legal reforms to reflect the evolving nature of crime. “Offences change shape as society evolves,” they remarked.
The dismissal of 321 trainee Sub-Inspectors (SIs) out of 823 for breaching discipline during various training programmes, including eight trainees sacked on January 2, underscores the need for immediate recruitment of more police personnel to manage the rising crime rate effectively.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), crimes such as snatching and extortion have increased by nearly 25 per cent over the past three months.
Political violence has also surged, with clashes between rival party supporters intensifying nationwide, leaving dozens injured and creating a climate of fear.
In contrast, burglary and theft have shown a decline, attributed to local communities organising neighbourhood watches in response to reduced police presence. Burglary cases dropped from 909 to 844, while thefts decreased from 3,068 to 2,424 during this period.
Experts suggest that pre-election periods often witness spikes in criminal activities due to political instability and the diversion of law enforcement resources for political purposes.
The rise in crime has been particularly pronounced in major urban centres such as Dhaka and Chattogram, where law enforcement agencies are overstretched, managing public order during political rallies and protests.
Cybercrime has also emerged as a growing concern. The Cybercrime Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) reported a 30 per cent rise in cases of online fraud, defamation, and digital extortion compared to the same period last year.
Local authorities attribute some of the incidents to opportunistic behaviour during the political transition, as communities exploit perceived gaps in oversight.
The current climate underscores the urgent need for robust measures to address rising crime and ensure law and order during this critical political period.
