Desk Report:
After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in the July coup, the law and order situation in the country collapsed overnight. On the one hand, mob formation, destruction of shrines, and an increase in crimes such as robbery and extortion, on the other hand, the inaction of the demoralized police – all this has made the interim government struggle to manage the situation. In such a situation, the National Assembly elections are scheduled for mid-February next year. Analysts fear that the law and order situation may become more complicated ahead of the elections.
The situation has deteriorated drastically after three people were killed in protests, blockades, arson and attacks in the hill district of Khagrachhari due to the rape of a Marma teenager. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has blamed the hill organization United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) for such violence.
On the other hand, Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has commented that the neighboring country is behind the violence in the hills. Analysts believe that the ongoing situation in Khagrachari and the Home Affairs Advisor’s comments are an indication that the hills are becoming restless.
Not only the hills, but also the law and order situation in the plains is not completely under control. One of the reasons for the deterioration of the situation after the July coup is political violence, which is likely to increase further with the elections ahead.
According to statistics from the Police Headquarters, 2,613 people were killed across the country from January to August this year. On the other hand, according to the human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), 511 incidents of political violence occurred in the country from August 5, 2024 to August this year. 135 people were killed and 5,775 were injured. Of these, 94 were killed and more than 4,000 people were injured in internal conflicts within political parties. And 41 people were killed in clashes between opposing political parties.
Law enforcement sources say that leaders and activists of different political parties may get into conflicts among themselves over nominations before the national elections. Apart from this, there may be clashes between candidates of different parties or alliances in the constituencies. A third force may also take steps to deteriorate the law and order situation before the elections. On the other hand, they are getting information that the ousted Awami League will also be in the field with extensive preparations to thwart the elections.
Statistics show that 347 incidents of violence have occurred between BNP and its affiliates in the last one year. During this period, 83 people were killed and 4,000 leaders and activists were injured in conflicts between BNP leaders and activists and clashes with opposing political parties. At the same time, 11 people were killed in 18 violent incidents between Awami League and its affiliates. Three people were killed in clashes with Jamaat-e-Islami and its affiliates. In addition, at least 66 people were injured in 10 violent incidents in the internal conflicts of the anti-discrimination student movement and the National Citizens Party (NCP). Party leaders and activists said that these incidents of conflict and violence have occurred centered on expanding dominance in various fields.
Kazi Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, a professor of political science at Dhaka University, believes that violence is increasing due to the lack of democratic practices within political parties. He said that violence is increasing due to the lack of democratic practices within the party. The use of muscle power to maintain leadership has now become a political norm. If democracy is not established in the party and the state, this violence will not decrease, but may increase even more before the elections.
Meanwhile, all forces are working in coordination to improve the law and order situation ahead of the elections. The Police Headquarters has instructed various police units to improve the situation by discussing with the local civil society.
RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman told Ajker that maintaining law and order is a big challenge in the current political and social context. All forces are working in coordination to improve the law and order situation ahead of the elections.
And Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, Additional Inspector General (Crime and Ops) of the Police Headquarters, told Ajker that no special initiative has been taken to control violence. However, various police units have been instructed to work to improve the situation by discussing with the local civil society. After August 5 last year, a kind of lawlessness situation was created. If people are not involved, it will become more difficult to handle in the future.
President of the People’s Rights Council, Nurul Haque Nur, was seriously injured in an attack by law enforcement agencies last August. On that day, there were two major clashes between leaders and activists of the two parties in front of the Jatiya Party office. At that time, BNP leaders alleged that there was a planned attempt to destabilize the political situation to disrupt the elections.
Regarding these issues, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince said, “BNP adheres to a zero tolerance policy in cases of violence. Leaders and activists have been called upon to maintain restraint and peace. Nevertheless, we are saddened and embarrassed by the undesirable incidents that have occurred. Organizational and legal action has been taken against those responsible.”
And NCP Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin said, “The political culture of BNP or Awami League has become dependent on showing power. It is not possible to change it suddenly. We want to come out of that trend.’
Towhidul Haque, associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University, said, ‘The government has not been able to take political parties into confidence. Elections and the law and order situation are closely linked. Many say that there is a deliberate attempt to disrupt the law and order situation to prevent elections, which will lead to further unrest in the future.It could take a more serious shape.
