Gang violence adds to murder surge

Violent crime, political clashes and underworld activities continue to pose major challenges to public safety, with Bangladesh recording more than 10 murders a day during the first three months of the BNP government’s tenure, according to Police Headquarters data.

Despite intensified police operations, analysts say organised crime, factional political violence and lingering human rights concerns continue to undermine efforts to restore law and order.

Police statistics show that 915 murder cases were registered nationwide between March and May, including 317 in March, 288 in April and 310 in May.

The figure represents a sharp increase in fresh murder cases compared with the corresponding period in previous years.

Although 993 murder cases were recorded during the same period in 2025, 226 related to earlier incidents, leaving 767 fresh cases. In the corresponding period of 2024, police recorded 794 murders.

Regionally, Dhaka Range recorded the highest number of murders with 207, followed by Chattogram Range (186), Rajshahi Range (106) and Khulna Range (84). Among metropolitan areas, Dhaka Metropolitan Police recorded the highest number with 57 murders.

A series of high-profile killings in recent weeks has further fuelled public concern.

On 30 July, physician Dr Sara Roksana was murdered inside her home in Faydabad, Uttara, after intruders allegedly cut through a window grille before fleeing with cash and jewellery.

On 27 July, police recovered the throat-slit body of 17-year-old Tanjila Akter from a housing project in Keraniganj.

On the same day, a family dispute in Savar allegedly ended with a 15-year-old boy beating his father, Mohin Mia, to death.

Elsewhere, Arif Sikder was shot and hacked in Khulna’s Labanchara, while Munira Khatun was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband at a health complex in Naogaon’s Dhamoirhat.

Other recent incidents include the fatal stabbing of Nur Nabi Hossain in Feni on 26 July after he reportedly protested the harassment of his wife; the lynching of a suspected drug dealer in Sitakunda on 25 July; the fatal shooting of Jubo Dal worker Yusuf Ali in Kafrul on 24 July; and the daylight stabbing of railway employee Mamun Mia in Mohakhali on 11 July.

Crime analysts and intelligence officials attribute much of the recent violence to the resurgence of organised criminal groups following the political transition in 2024.

Several notorious underworld figures, either released on bail or returning from abroad, are reportedly attempting to reclaim former territories and rebuild criminal networks.

Investigators say individuals once listed among the country’s 23 most wanted terrorists, including Sweden Aslam, Killer Abbas, Pichchi Helal, Sanjidul Islam Emon, Freedom Rasu, Mollah Masud, Tokai Sagar and Titon, have become active again, triggering renewed turf wars.

These rivalries are believed to be behind several recent attacks, including the killing of Titon, the attack on Pichchi Helal’s brother Dipu, the public shooting of Tarik Saif Mamun near the court area and the murder of Yasin Khan alias Kaillya Palash shortly after his release from prison.

Police Headquarters said more than 18,000 people have been arrested in anti-crime operations since May.

However, efforts to curb organised crime continue to be hindered by the failure to recover more than 1,000 firearms looted from police stations during last year’s political unrest.

Political violence has also remained a significant contributor to insecurity.

According to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), political clashes left 18 people dead and 912 injured in 113 incidents in March, six dead and 533 injured in 98 incidents in April, and five dead and 289 injured in 64 incidents in May.

The organisation said much of the violence stemmed from factional disputes within the ruling BNP.

Raozan in Chattogram has emerged as one of the worst-affected areas, where 18 of 25 recorded killings since the political transition were reportedly linked to political conflict. Victims included BNP worker Nasir Uddin and BNP leader Kawsaruzzaman.

Other political killings included Chhatra Dal leader Imran Hossain in Pabna, former Sramik Dal leader Masum Billah in Khulna and Sramik League leader Sheikh Sohel in Bagerhat.

Human rights organisations have also raised concerns over mob violence and alleged abuses by law enforcement agencies.

A joint assessment by the Manabadhikar Sangskriti Foundation (MSF) and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) reported 78 mob violence incidents in June, leaving 33 people dead and 126 injured.

The report also documented 14-18 custodial deaths, five alleged cases of torture by law enforcement and one alleged extrajudicial killing during the month.

Among the reported cases were the death of Mirza Ishtiaque Ahmed in Detective Branch custody in Faridpur, the death of Robin Tripura during an army operation in Khagrachhari and the death of Sakat Sardar in a Coast Guard operation in Khulna.

Seven prisoners, including Nurul Alam and Shahidullah Rasel, also died in custody during June.

Rights groups further alleged that key UN-backed reforms, including restructuring the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and limiting the roles of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), remain unimplemented.

They also expressed concern over plans to replace the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, 2025, arguing that the proposed law could weaken the commission’s independence.

According to rights monitors, 11 people were detained in June over their opinions under interim legal provisions, while 51 journalists were assaulted or harassed in 40 incidents.

Analysts argue that political patronage, weak institutional accountability and inadequate policing continue to embolden criminal groups despite government efforts.

Responding to the concerns, Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime and Operations) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said law enforcement agencies were giving the highest priority to investigating every incident and had been instructed to take action against criminals regardless of political affiliation.

He said police operations were now being conducted in accordance with human rights standards and international law, while efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks were continuing.