The ongoing struggles of Bangladesh’s police force to maintain public order reveal the severity of the institutional crisis that has been brewing for months.
An English newspaper reported on Tuesday, since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August, law enforcement agencies have been battling not just external unrest but internal dysfunction.
This erosion of public trust, compounded by operational failures, has made effective policing a distant goal in a time when the country desperately needs stability.
Several recent incidents point to this troubling reality. The attack on a pregnant woman in Savar, and the subsequent failure of police to even visit the scene is indicative of a police force that is neither feared nor respected. The same is true in Gendaria, where clear CCTV footage of a murder has yet to lead to an arrest, leaving citizens questioning the force’s capability.
The reasons cited for this inertia — manpower shortages, limited vehicles, and ongoing transfers — are concerning but hardly justifiable.
The police force must not only admit its failures but swiftly work to address them. The operational gap left by transferring officers or lacking adequate resources has left the public vulnerable to crime and unrest.
The National Emergency Helpline, once a lifeline for citizens in distress, now struggles to provide timely assistance, further erodes faith in the system.
More worrying is that the Industrial Police, a specialized unit meant to quell such unrest, lacks both the vehicles and the experienced leadership necessary to manage the crises happening in the country’s industrial areas like Savar and Ashulia.
The post-Hasina era demands a new kind of law enforcement, one that can uphold the law impartially and professionally, while protecting the most vulnerable in society.
The force must prioritize regaining the public’s trust through transparency, accountability, and swift action. It should be acknowledged that the police force will need time to recover, but time alone will not solve the deeper, systemic issues.
We have to say that without significant reform and dedicated leadership, Bangladesh risks further deterioration of law and order. The country cannot afford a police force that is neither willing nor able to carry out its duties effectively.
Public safety should never be compromised, and the people of Bangladesh deserve a law enforcement body that they can trust to protect their rights, uphold justice, and maintain peace.