Public safety must be a priority this Eid

According to a report published in this newspaper on Tuesday, a series of troubling incidents across Dhaka in recent days has once again drawn attention to the capital’s fragile law and order situation, particularly as millions of residents prepare to leave the city for Eid-ul-Fitr.

The killing near the Central Shaheed Minar, the death of a university student and unrest in Uttara are not isolated events.

Rather, they highlight deeper structural weaknesses in urban policing and crime prevention.

The timing is especially concerning. The period leading up to Eid has historically been associated with increased criminal activity, a pattern acknowledged by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

With transport hubs crowded and many residential areas gradually emptying as people travel home for the holidays, the city presents both opportunity and anonymity for organised criminal groups.

Reports of so-called “drugging gangs”, “ointment gangs” and increasingly organised burglary rings suggest that crime in Dhaka is evolving in both scale and method.

Police assurances of intensified patrols, plain-clothes deployments and increased surveillance are important steps. However, these measures alone may not be sufficient.

As crime analysts often point out, a reactive approach centred mainly on visible policing cannot effectively address criminal networks that operate in a coordinated and intelligence-driven manner.

The identification of numerous crime-prone hotspots and a significant number of suspected snatchers should prompt a more comprehensive and intelligence-led strategy.

Restoring public confidence is equally important. The lingering effects of the law enforcement vacuum following the events of August 2024 continue to shape public perception.

While the formation of a new government has raised expectations, failure to deliver visible improvements in public safety — especially during a sensitive period such as Eid — could further weaken public trust.

Addressing this challenge requires more than routine policing; it is fundamentally a matter of governance.

Effective coordination between law enforcement agencies, intelligence services and local administration is essential.

Preventive measures — such as monitoring known offenders, strengthening community policing and ensuring rapid response systems — must complement regular patrols.

Eid is a time associated with joy, family and security. Ensuring that Dhaka remains safe during this period is both a responsibility and a test for the authorities.

A coordinated and proactive approach will be crucial to ensure that the festive spirit of the season is not overshadowed by concerns over safety.