Commuters in the capital city of Dhaka and on its outskits are no longer safe due to deterioratation of law and order situation. We note with grave concern that incidents of various crimes such as killing, mugging and snatching, have increased alarmingly in recent times.
There is no safety in the city except for a few restricted zones. Law and order situation has become so alarming that no one feels safe on the streets. Armed criminals roam freely in different areas of the capital.
According to media reports, around 500 muggers are active in the capital city under 50 police stations. They are carrying out criminal activities in areas such as Tejgaon, Ramna, Gulshan, Mirpur, Uttara, Motijheel, Wari and Lalbagh. According to police sources, many coming from different districts are involved in crimes. After committing crimes, they quickly flee the scene, complicating efforts to apprehend them, police sources said.
The Uttara–Tongi flyover has become quite unsafe for people travelling in buses. Passengers very often fall victim to robbery on the flyover. Besides, most flyovers in the capital, including those at Uttara-Abdullahpur, Moghbazar-Mouchak, Khilgaon, Jatrabari, Babubazar, and Kuril have become hotspots for mugging, carjacking and harassment of women.
Flyovers, which have been built to ease city’s traffic congestion, have now become safe heaven for criminals, largely due to inadequate surveillance and poor lighting. Certain points, especially on Uttara-Abullahpur and Malibagh flyovers, are very dangerous at night. Drug addicts loiter beneath these structures as drug sale reportedly take place in these areas round the clock.
Muggers ambush commuters taking advantage of load-shedding and poorly-lit areas. They take away away valuables and stab victims before fleeing the spot. Many of these offenders are drug users.
Mugging mainly happens during traffic congestion. Criminals get on buses stuck in traffic jams, snatch mobile phones, bags and cash from helpless passengers. Some approach buses with knives in hand, inciting panic among those on board.
As night falls, robbers become active different points of city’s seven major flyovers. But police presence is hardly seen there. Many streetlights remain non-functional or too dim to offer real protection. Footbridges in the capital are equally unsafe at night due to lack of monitoring.
Officials of law enforcement agencies acknowledged the worsening law and order situation. They also cite manpower shortage as a major reason for the situation.
Dhaka and its adjoining areas also see rise in incidents of robbery, mugging and extortion. In addition to the growing threat of organised gangs, reckless driving often in the absence of traffic police also claims innocent lives.
Criminals often target individuals on deserted streets at night. Victims are robbed of their mobile phones, laptops, handbags and ornaments often at gunpoint. Students, in particular, are vulnerable to such attacks, which are frequently carried out by roaming gangs such as notorious ‘Tana Party’.
In view of the grave situation, the authorities must bring the capital and other cities brought under the Safe City Project. The planned ‘Development of Dhaka City Digital Monitoring System’ must be implemented without delay. Drawing inspiration from developed countries, this initiative should install high-tech CCTV cameras along roads, streets, and flyovers to monitor crimes, identify perpetrators through facial recognition linked to their national ID cards and check traffic violations.
This digital system can be served as an effective deterrent against mugging, robbery, extortion, militancy, and other crimes. Furthermore, cameras will help enforce traffic regulations, allowing law enforcement to track violators and intervene promptly.
The police and other law enforcement agencies must act to bolster security. Measures should include strong surveillance, deployment of additional personnel, and frequent patrols in high-risk zones.
Moreover, crimes are taking place not only in the capital. Organised gangs prey on travellers along highways and in district towns. They take away valuables from passengers of buses, rickshaws, and auto-rickshaws. Those who resist them are often violently attacked with sharp weapons or firearms.
Besides, extortion on highways is also rampant. Traders transporting goods to Dhaka and other cities face threats and harassment, especially on major routes such as Dhaka–Khulna, Dhaka–Tangail, and Dhaka–Aricha. In some cases, it is alleged that certain law enforcement personnel collaborate with criminals in demanding illegal tolls.
Extortion must be stopped immediately. No goods-laden vehicle should be halted on highways without a valid reason. Any unauthorised stoppage must be investigated and dealt with swiftly. Police must intensify efforts to hunt down listed criminals and maintain intelligence vigilance throughout the country.
Law enforcers should also coordinate closely with community security guards to prevent crimes in residential areas. Citizens leaving the city during holiday should be advised to store valuables with relatives.
Besides, elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and intelligence agencies must remain vigilant to prevent any attempts by criminal gangs.
Strong action must be taken against organised crimes. In light of the recent surge in murder, robbery, mugging, extortion, and abduction over the past six months, unified action from all relevant authorities is essential.
We are deeply concerned by the unchecked rise in deadly crimes. A pervasive sense of insecurity has engulfed residents, making them hesitant to venture out alone — even in broad daylight.
Particularly troubling is the increase in juvenile crime. The proliferation of youth gangs, or "Kishor Gangs", has introduced new threats to public safety. These young offenders are involved in extortion, drug trafficking, mugging, and harassment of women. Some have even committed murder, while continuing to operate with apparent protection from local influential figures.
Despite occasional crackdowns, many juvenile delinquents continue to carry out criminal activities. Law enforcement agencies must step up efforts to dismantle these groups in the greater interest of the country.
Unless immediate and sustained action is taken, law and order situation will go out of control. We urge the government and agencies concerned to act decisively to protect people by improving law and order.
S. M. Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Editor, Bangladesh Post
