Wave of killings sparks public anxiety
The spate of killings, shootings and violent attacks across Bangladesh, fuelled by political rivalry, extortion disputes, drug-related conflicts and attempts to seize local control, has intensified concerns over the country’s law-and-order situation.
From the unexplained death of a former Air Force officer to targeted shootings of political activists and public killings over personal disputes, the incidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement and the government’s ability to ensure public safety.
The recovery of the body of former Flight Lieutenant K M Tahsif Souri, 28, from the Turag river has become a particularly troubling case.
River Police recovered his body on Wednesday afternoon, a day after he left his home in Uttara on Tuesday evening and went missing.
At 1:35am, he sent his mother a voice message saying he was on his way home, but he never arrived. His motorcycle is also missing, according to his relatives.
His father has rejected the possibility of suicide and called on the government to conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for his death.
A series of other killings has added to public concern. In Natore, Md Shakil Islam, 30, member secretary of the Gurudaspur municipal unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), died on October 26 after sustaining critical injuries in an attack.
The latest multiple killing occurred on Thursday, October 29, when 10 to 12 masked men opened fire at Puspapara market in Pabna Sadar’s Ataikula, leaving two people dead.
The victims were Abdus Salam, 56, convener of the Pabna Sadar unit of the banned Sramik League, and his nephew Ripon Hossain, 50, president of the Ataikula union unit of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal.
A shopkeeper near the scene said the attackers shouted, “Today Puspapara is free” as they fled. The same day, fisherman Akhtar Howlader was reportedly shot dead in Meghna, according to local media reports.
On October 28, salon owner Rabindra Rishi, 43, was stabbed to death in public in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, reportedly after refusing to provide a haircut on credit. Local residents said the suspect had repeatedly demanded money from him to buy drugs.
Political and drug-related violence has also claimed several lives in other districts.
Jubo Dal leader Ramim Biswas was shot dead in Khulna on October 24. The district recorded 71 murders over the past 10 months, with much of the violence attributed to drug trading and clashes among armed local groups.
In Netrokona’s Durgapur, IP television journalist Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir was shot dead on October 15, reportedly following his reporting on extortion and struggles for local dominance.
He was hit by five or six bullets. Jubo Dal activist Tarek was also shot dead earlier in Sitakunda, Chattogram.
Beatings and mob violence have further aggravated the situation. Two pickup van drivers, Jony, 32, and Md Nishat, were reportedly beaten to death at a club in the Kajla area of Jatrabari on the night of October 27 after being suspected of robbery.
In Dinajpur, schoolteacher Manoranjan Roy, 55, was beaten to death on October 25 while attempting to mediate a land dispute. Shyamal Sharma was also lynched on October 27.
Data from Police Headquarter and rights organisations indicate that the number of murder cases this year has risen by about 12.2 per cent compared with last year.
Crime experts attribute the worsening trend partly to what they describe as a perceived weakening of law enforcement since the change of government.
They point to the growing use of contract killing teams in disputes over control of drug and extortion networks, as well as delays in bringing offenders to justice. Such delays, they say, can erode public confidence in the authorities and encourage people to take the law into their own hands.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, however, has dismissed claims that the law-and-order situation is deteriorating.
He said the situation was better than before and that the BNP government had restored police morale, improved discipline, increased manpower and provided necessary equipment.
He also maintained that police were making progress in identifying, arresting, investigating and prosecuting offenders, although there might be “an exception or two”.
The opposition has sharply criticised the government’s handling of the situation. Speaking at a rally in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh on Friday, National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, also the opposition chief whip in parliament, demanded the resignation of Salahuddin Ahmed and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, accusing them of failing to discharge their responsibilities.
“If they do not resign, we will hold processions across the country,” he said, warning that supporters would then besiege Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman.
The rally, organised by the NCP’s Dhaka North and South city units, also protested what the party described as government-sponsored killings, increases in fuel prices, the rising cost of essential commodities and the politicisation of state institutions.
Although the Home Ministry has reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law, citizens and crime experts say assurances alone will not restore public confidence.
They argue that the growing number of killings and violent attacks requires visible and firm action, effective investigations and timely prosecution to prevent further violence and ensure public safety.
