Following the July mass uprising, the biggest challenge for the interim government was to bring the law and order situation under control. In the aftermath of the uprising, criminals took advantage of the collapse of regular police station activities and policing. Public concern over criminal activities began to grow. Even after a year of the interim government in power, experts say that the crime situation remains worrying. In particular, incidents of mob violence, murder, mugging, abduction, and looting during this period have been pushing the crime index upward. Many have accused the interim government of failing to contain mobs. Political parties, including BNP, Jamaat, and NCP, have all declared their stance against mob actions following various incidents. Yet, incidents of extrajudicial killings, torture, and assaults in the name of mob justice have not stopped. Security analysts believe that if the law and order situation is not brought under control quickly, it could affect the upcoming elections.

The human rights organization Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (Foundation of Human Rights Culture) tracks ongoing crime statistics in Bangladesh. According to their data, from January to May this year, 141 incidents of mob violence injured 289 individuals and killed 52. The highest number of mob attacks occurred in March, which also saw the most deaths. In that month, 13 people were killed and 96 injured in 39 incidents at the hands of “unruly crowds.” Monthly data shows that in January, 21 mob incidents left 12 individuals dead and 38 injured. In February, 8 were killed and 34 injured. In April, 27 mob incidents caused 10 deaths and 53 injuries. In May, there were 36 mob violence cases, with 9 people killed and 68 injured.

However, police headquarters data shows that in the first five months of this year, there were between 120 and 130 mob violence incidents nationwide, not more. Experts believe that regardless of the actual numbers, mob violence is never acceptable. Such crimes can influence others to commit similar acts, with one incident often triggering many more. They stress that the causes of crime must be addressed to find preventive measures. In particular, it is crucial to ensure that no investigation or case is influenced or settled outside the legal framework through intimidation or pressure. At the same time, social awareness needs to be built, with political leaders and respected local figures stepping forward. Only through coordinated efforts can mob violence and overall crime be brought under control.

It is not just mob violence—murders, muggings, abductions, and lootings are also pushing the crime index higher. The police headquarters keeps a record of all types of crimes across the country. According to their statistics, from January to June this year, a total of 1,930 individuals were murdered nationwide. Of them, 294 were killed in January. The number rose to 300 in February and increased further in March, with 316 murders. In April, there were 336 murders, followed by 341 in May. June saw the highest number of murders this year, with a total of 343. The data shows that murders have increased every month this year, with the highest numbers in Dhaka Metropolitan, Dhaka Range, and Chattogram Range. Many of these killings were linked to extortion and turf wars, the latest example being the murder of scrap dealer Lal Chand Sohag in Old Dhaka. Various political organizations held rallies and processions protesting the incident.

Alongside the murders, a significant number of robberies, muggings, crimes against women and children, and abductions are also taking place across the country. According to the Police Headquarters, there were 366 robberies nationwide from January to June this year, with the highest—74 incidents—recorded in February. In addition, 11,008 cases of violence against women and children occurred during these six months.

Human rights activist and Police Reform Commission member ASM Nasiruddin Elan told Bonik Barta, “From mob violence to various ongoing crimes, the country’s law and order situation is heading toward a serious decline. To get out of this, we need national unity. I believe the July Declaration recently announced by the Chief Adviser has created such a unity. In the run-up to the country’s elections, widespread violence usually takes place. We need national unity here. I am hopeful that there will be an inclusive election with the participation of all parties. Through this election, the law and order situation in the country will start to return to normal.”

Meanwhile, the legal rights group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) believes that, like the ousted Awami League-led government, the interim government has also continued arbitrary arrests, custodial deaths, and extrajudicial killings. The organization stated that last year the country witnessed a historic mass uprising, but regrettably, the interim government has failed to meet people’s expectations after the movement. Arbitrary arrests are still taking place, and custodial deaths and extrajudicial killings are still occurring, which seem to be a repeat of the previous government’s repressive behavior. In addition, the worsening law and order situation has left citizens concerned regarding their safety. Experts also believe that if the fragile state of law and order is not brought under control, it could have an adverse effect on the upcoming national elections.

On this matter, Dr. Tawohidul Haque, Associate Professor at the University of Dhaka’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research, told Bonik Barta, “The initiatives taken to improve law and order after August 5 are not sufficient. The judicial process for the policemen who were killed before and after August 5 last year is not being seen. This is creating misunderstandings between field-level police officers and top officials. Field officers feel that senior officials were involved in the crimes, but they themselves are facing public outrage. One of the main conditions for a fair election is to bring the law and order situation under control. If that cannot be done, then questions will arise about the discipline of the election. To get out of this situation, the enforcement of the law must be ensured strongly.”

Commenting that after any political shift there is always a gap that needs to be addressed through strict enforcement of the law and ensuring accountability, he further said, “If there is a lack of law enforcement then accountability and responsibility do not develop. As a result, mob violence or even the police themselves are facing crises while trying to enforce the law. I don’t see any effective measures being taken to boost police morale. If the politically powerful are not obeyed, attacks are being carried out on the police or the station itself. In some places, the police are falling into trouble while trying to enforce the law. The government is issuing statements on mob violence. But still, these crimes are not coming under control. Statements will not work here; action must be taken. Civil society can make statements, but the public does not expect statements from the government.”

Experts say mob violence is rising for several reasons. These include the country’s long-standing undemocratic environment, a culture of impunity, failure to control law and order following the mass uprising, instability and fear within the administration, political conflicts and personal interests, and the spread of misinformation or rumors on social media. They believe those involved in such crimes must face strict legal consequences and that the government needs a zero-tolerance policy toward mobs; otherwise, mob violence will not decline.

On the overall situation, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Baharul Alam told Bonik Barta, “We still haven’t been able to boost the morale of the police force. As a result, even when crimes are committed right before our eyes, we’re not seeing effective action. For example, 50–60 youths sat down in Shahbagh and blocked traffic. But we couldn’t remove them—we had to just watch. That sent the message to the public that the police are ineffective. At the same time, we also have to consider the police’s perspective. During the July uprising, 44 police officers were killed. No investigation or trial has been initiated in this matter. What lesson will members of the force take from this? That no justice will be served for them. There’s only one way for us to recover from the current situation: in the future, anyone who blocks roads during protests must be removed immediately. Until the police can play that role, crimes cannot be controlled, and offenders will not be deterred.”

Human rights activist and member of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances Nur Khan Liton believes the recruitment and promotion process in the police must move away from political and regional considerations. Speaking to Bonik Barta, he said, “There’s no denying that the ousted fascist government used the police against the general public to stay in power. This created public resentment toward the police, and the public outrage we see today is a reflection of that anger. But I believe every killing must be properly investigated, and justice must be delivered to the victims’ families. Without ensuring this right, it will not be possible to boost the morale of the police force. That’s why I think the first step to making the police effective is to ensure justice for these killings. Members of the force involved in crimes must also be brought to trial. At the same time, the irregular recruitment and promotions carried out by the ousted fascist government must end, and honest and courageous officers must be recognized and rewarded.”