Sabotage fears grow amid crime surge
A series of cocktail bomb explosions, bus arson and other violent incidents have heightened fears of organised sabotage in Bangladesh, adding to a broader deterioration in law and order marked by killings, mugging, extortion and mob violence.
The incidents have increased pressure on the police administration, which is preparing a large-scale special operation against criminals and alleged networks involved in sabotage.
Security sources said the banned Awami League was planning disruptive activities ahead of the next national election, with activists allegedly being directed from abroad. The allegations could not be independently verified.
The latest incident occurred in Barisal on Wednesday when a cocktail bomb exploded on the Dhaka-Barisal highway in front of the Barisal Range deputy inspector general’s office at about 2pm.
Eyewitnesses alleged that banned Awami League activists arrived in a procession, chanted “Joy Bangla”, detonated the device and fled. Md Anisur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police, said police went to the spot after reports of a loud explosion and found evidence of a blast on the road.
Meanwhile, BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi separately alleged that fugitive “fascists” were trying to destabilise the country from abroad with support from covert and dormant elements inside Bangladesh.
He made the remarks at a protest rally organised by the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal in Naya Paltan on Wednesday.
The violence has come amid growing concern over serious crime, including the killings of 13-year-old student Ishayat Shahriar Opratim in Cumilla and university student Azmul Hossain in Khulna.
Opratim went missing after leaving home with his mother’s iPhone. His body was recovered the following day from a forested area of Lalmai hill near Cumilla University, with head injuries. Police said he was killed during an alleged attempt to snatch his mobile phone.
In Khulna, Azmul was beaten to death by a mob following an allegation that he had stolen rice.
Police step up response
The worsening security situation has prompted a series of high-level meetings. Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed held a special meeting with senior police officials at his residence on the night of 19 September, followed by meetings at Police Headquarters and other units the next day.
Police sources said a large-scale special operation would soon be launched against criminals, with tougher action against habitual offenders and leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations.
DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said, “Every police station has been told to increase round-the-clock patrols. Patrols must continue from night through morning. Strict action will be taken against any wrongdoing by the banned Awami League or its affiliated organisations.”
Khondaker Rafiqul Islam, additional inspector general (operations) at Police Headquarters, said patrols had been strengthened and there would be no tolerance for teenage or child gangs.
Bombs, arson raise fresh concern
DB officials said more than a dozen cocktail bombs exploded at different locations in Dhaka on Friday and Saturday nights, including near the High Court gate, Jatrabari Police Station and Pallabi. Several buses were also set on fire and an auto-rickshaw driver was injured.
Four cocktail bombs also exploded in and around a public field near the upazila parishad in Bauphal, Patuakhali, causing panic.
Molla Md Shahin, deputy commissioner of the DB’s Wari division, said four people had been arrested and four unexploded bombs and a motorcycle recovered. DB alleged that the suspects had regular contact with central Awami League leaders based in India and that instructions were sent through WhatsApp and Viber, with funds allegedly supplied through hundi channels.
Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said, “Cocktail bombs were set off under cover of night around the banned Awami League’s so-called programme. Everyone involved has been arrested.
The government is not alarmed by these incidents.”
Security sources said intelligence reports had pointed to possible sabotage around 28 September, Sheikh Hasina’s birthday, and on certain dates in November.
They alleged that a group based in India was directing activists in hiding in Bangladesh to carry out flash processions, bomb attacks, bus arson and attacks on police. The claims could not independently be verified.
Crime figures add to anxiety
The recurrence of attacks despite reports of advance intelligence has raised questions over preventive measures. Opposition leaders have alleged intelligence failures, while Police Headquarters has instructed units to strengthen surveillance.
Police Headquarters recorded 14,602 cases of violence against women and children between January and August, while 254 children were killed in various forms of violence during the period.
A total of 99,992 cases involving various crimes were filed nationwide during the period, compared with 89,012 in the preceding six months, an increase of 10,980 cases.
Ain o Salish Kendra said 36 missing children were later found dead between January and August. Police data showed 15,717 children went missing between January and July; 13,679 were recovered, leaving 2,038 still missing.
ASK Executive Director Tahmina Rahman said, “These incidents of violence against women and children cannot be viewed as isolated. The figures – 14,602 incidents of violence and 254 child deaths in eight months – themselves reveal the severity of the situation.”
With political conflict, targeted killings, mob violence, mugging and other serious crimes adding to public concern, a senior Police Headquarters official said a large-scale joint operation would be launched soon, with no leniency for criminals irrespective of their political affiliation.
