[🇧🇩] The Home Adviser and the Law and Order Situation in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Date of Event: Feb 25, 2025

Source : https://www.newagebd.net/post/Country/258718/fear-grips-people-as-mugging-on-rise Short Summary: Monitoring the worsening law and order situation of Bangladesh.

Fear grips people as mugging on rise
Prattayee Chakma and Tanzil Rahaman 25 February, 2025, 00:14

New Age photo

A reign of fear has taken hold of the streets of Dhaka city and elsewhere in the country in recent days, as citizens are coming under attack by mugging gangs at any hour of the day amid ineffectual law enforcement interventions.

The streets of Dhaka city have particularly become a haven for prowling gangs swooping on commuters at the slightest opportunity both during the day and when darkness falls.

Witnesses described these gangs armed with sharp weapons and firearms to lurk on the streets and alleyways in dif2ferent neighbourhoods across the city.

Even rickshaw-pullers who often are seen on the city roads carrying or looking for passengers at the small hours expressed their fear of being attacked.

‘There is no safety nowadays. Two mugging incidents happened in front of my eyes. I too could be a victim and something unbearable can happen to me if I go out,’ said Rickshaw-puller Belal Hossain who lives in the city’s Shankar area.

‘But what will I eat if I don’t go out?’ he asked while talking to New Age at Shahbagh on Monday.

Zilsana Binte Nazir Ridi, who studies in a private university in the city, said that she fell victim to two mugging incidents in Banglamotor and Farmgate areas recently.

‘Stepping out of home doesn’t feel safe anymore as the city is gripped by rampant criminal incidents,’ she lamented.

Reports of daring mugging incidents are coming almost every day. At least two such incidents occurred in Dhaka city’s Banasree and Mohammadpur areas between Sunday night and early Monday.

Meanwhile, at an eyebrow raising emergency press briefing held at about 3:00am Monday, the home adviser to the interim government, retired lieutenant general M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, blamed the collaborators of the ousted fascist Awami League regime for the deteriorating law and order.

Jahangir, briefing the journalists at his residence at Baridhara DOHS, said, ‘Awami League men have smuggled out a lot of money to foreign countries. Now, they are using that money to destabilise the country. We will not allow them to do so at any cost,’ Jahangir further said.

He said that he had directed the law enforcement agencies for beefing up patrolling.

The press conference was held hours after the Dhaka University students held protest processions on the campus demanding the home adviser’s resignation.

At another event in Rajshahi city on Monday, law adviser Asif Nazrul while speaking to journalists admitted the deterioration of law and order and said that law enforcement agencies would ramp up their effort in controlling the situation.

Earlier on February 8, the government launched ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ to restore law and order with little visible outcome so far.

On Sunday night, a video went viral on social media showing a man to get shot and stabbed by a group riding motorbikes and wearing helmets.

The police identified the victim as gold trader Anwar Hossain, while his attackers remained unidentified. During the attack they also looted 130–200 bharis of gold, the police said.

He is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital with three bullet and several stabbing wounds.

His wife Husne Ara Begum told New Age that Anwar was attacked in front of the gate of their residence in Banasree at about 10:30pm on Sunday when he was returning home from his gold jewellery shop.

Seven armed muggers on three motorcycles stopped him and tried to snatch his bag, she said, adding that robbers shot him when he resisted and then fled with the bag.

‘The gate usually closes at 11:30pm every night but the guard locked the gate before 10:30pm on Sunday amid rising crimes. When he was attacked, I begged them to open the gate but no one cared,’ she added.

Rampura police officer-in-charge Ataur Rahman Akondo said that victim’s wife Husne Ara filed a case regarding the incident on Monday.

Police were investigating the incident, added the police official.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police data showed that 403 cases of mugging incidents were lodged with different police stations in the capital between November 2024 and January 2025.

Of them, 219 cases were filed in January, 118 were filed in December, 2024 while the number of cases were 66 in November in 2024.

At least 1,252 suspects were arrested in these cases between November 2024 and January 2025, according to the police data.

DMP data shows that 33 cases of mugging were reported in different police stations in Dhaka city in October, 17 cases in September and seven cases were reported in August.

The situation in Mohammadpur continued to worsen after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on August 5 amid a student-led mass uprising.

Police officials said that Md Anwar, who was arrested on February 17, maintained gangs that carried out various crimes, including mugging in Mohammadpur and its surrounding areas.

In Mohammadpur, footage of muggers robbing two women travelling in a rickshaw went viral on Facebook at about 12:30am on Monday.

Adabor police station officer-in-charge SM Jakaria told New Age that he heard that the incident occurred in Shekertek area.

‘We saw the footage but the faces of the attackers were not clear. Mohammadpur police station was also aware of the incident. No one was arrested so far and the victims did not file any complaint with any of the police stations,’ he said.

Adabor OC Jakaria also said that a case was filed with his police station on February 19 regarding a recent mugging incident.

Besides, a case was filed with the police station after a man named Sumon Sheikh’s wrist was cut off by some muggers in Adabor area on January 30.​

 

[Saif]

Activists say press conference at 3am exposes lawlessness

Rights activists have criticised home adviser retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for his denial of the deterioration in law and order situation in the country at an emergency press briefing at his residence...

www.newagebd.net

Activists say press conference at 3am exposes lawlessness
Staff Correspondent 25 February, 2025, 00:47

Rights activists have criticised home adviser retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for his denial of the deterioration in law and order situation in the country at an emergency press briefing at his residence in the capital Dhaka early Monday.

The home adviser denied allegations of worsening security condition at the press briefing held at about 3:00am on Monday, prompting a spate of criticisms from right activists.

The press conference at dead of night rather reflected the situation getting alarming, they observed, adding that it was a matter of concern that the adviser was not admitting the fact.

They argued that the government’s denial of the growing lawlessness undermined the reality of escalating violence, particularly against women, and the overall deterioration in public safety.

They said that the law and order situation was worsening and the government should accept the reality and take effective measures without continuing the culture of denial they saw in the fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted by a student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024.

Maleka Banu, general secretary of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, expressed her concern over the growing violence, particularly against women, pointing out that there was no sign of the government taking meaningful action to address these issues.

It was a matter of concern that he was not admitting that the situation was worsening, she added.

‘There is no scope for talking about improvement in the law and order situation when women continue to be victims of violence, and no visible efforts are being made to control this,’ she said while talking to New Age.

She added that public confidence in law enforcement agencies was at an all-time low, with an increasing sense of disorder across the country.

Economist Anu Muhammad, a former professor at Jahangirnagar University, echoed these concerns, describing the law and order situation as ‘alarming’.

He pointed at the country’s regression from the ideals of the July uprising and compared the current administration’s denial of failure with the fascist tactics of the previous government under Sheikh Hasina.

‘The interim government under Professor Yunus is following the same culture of denial as the regime it replaced,’ he added.

Home adviser retired Lieutenant General M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury early Monday said that the deposed Awami League was responsible for the deterioration in the law and order situation and alleged that the collaborators of the fascist AL government were putting their all-out efforts to destabilise the country.

‘Awami League people smuggled out a lot of money to foreign countries and now they are using that money to destabilise the country,’ he told an emergency press conference at his house at Baridhra DOHS in the capital.

Faruq Faisel, executive director of Ain o Salish Kendra, said that public safety was now a pressing concern for ordinary citizens.

‘People do not feel safe, and while government officials are speaking a lot about improvements, there is no actual implementation of these claims,’ Faisel remarked.

He expressed hope that the government would take immediate action to rectify the existing bad situation.

Kazi Reazul Haque, former chairman of the Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission, said that numerous crimes were being committed in the absence of effective measures.

Even the government officials have acknowledged the situation directly or indirectly, he said.

‘The government should impartially apprehend the criminals and bring them to justice following laws. However, care should be taken that mob violence does not occur in the process of arresting the criminals,’ he said.

The former bureaucrat also said, ‘If the government tries, it is not impossible to control the law and order situation. We hope that if the government makes a sincere effort, law and order will come under control.’

Jahangir Alam Chowdhury held the press conference a few hours after Dhaka University students held protest processions on the campus, demanding his resignation.

He, however, claimed he had taken measures to improve the situation soon and then the demand for his resignation would be muted.

Later after a meeting at his office in the secretariat in Dhaka, Jahangir again said that the law and order situation was now satisfactory.​

 

[Saif]

Protests against home adviser widen

Protests demanding the resignation of home adviser retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for his failure to ensure public safety widened, as students of different educational institutions in Dhaka and...

www.newagebd.net

Protests against home adviser widen
Staff Correspondent 25 February, 2025, 00:48

Police obstruct protesters marching towards the home ministry, demanding the resignation of the home adviser, near Shikkha Bhaban in Dhaka on Monday. | Md Saurav

Protests demanding the resignation of home adviser retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for his failure to ensure public safety widened, as students of different educational institutions in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country continued their demonstrations for the second day on Monday.

Students held a march towards the home affairs ministry, blocked highways, held rallies and torch processions to press home the demand.

Protesters said that deterioration in law and order situation and incidents like rape, attacks on and harassment of women, snatching, robbery, killing and extortion increased due to the failure of the adviser and the law enforcers.

They demanded the resignation of the home adviser and punishment for the law enforcers who failed to ensure security for people.

Students and people under the banner of Dhorshon o Nipironer Biruddhe Bangladesh (Bangladesh against rape and harassment) held a protest march from the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital Dhaka to the home ministry, demanding the resignation of the adviser.

Police stopped the protesters at about 3:00pm in front of Shikkha Bhaban near the Bangladesh secretariat, where protesters gave a 24-hour ultimatum to press home their nine-point demand.

In addition to the home adviser’s resignation, the demands included the government taking effective steps to stop the current spate of rapes, violence against women, snatching and robbery across the country, immediate trial of all cases of rape and violence, and rational reforms of relevant laws.

Announcing the demands, Dhaka University Disaster Management Institute student Mishkat Tanisha alleged that police used force to halt the procession.

On behalf of the protesters, Jahangirnagar University student Adrita Roy announced the 24-hour ultimatum and urged the authorities to take action within the timeframe.

‘We will organise tough programmes if our demands are not met within 24 hours,’ said Adrita.

Criticising the home adviser’s early Monday press conference, DU music department student Shima Akhter said, ‘He talked like the previous government. We don’t want any blame game. We want to see their actions against crimes.’

‘He has failed completely to take actions to ensure public safety. He has lost his eligibility to remain as home adviser,’ said Shima.

The Democratic Student Alliance, a combine of seven student wings of left leaning political parties, held a rally on the Dhaka University campus, demanding the home adviser’s resignation and an end to violence against women and rape incidents across the country.

DU units of the Students’ Federation of Bangladesh and the Revolutionary Student Unity and Jahangirnagar University students under the banner of Nipironer Biruddhe Jahangirnagar (Jahangirnagar against harassment) held separate torch processions in the evening on the DU campus in the capital and on the JU campus at Savar.

A group of DU female students staged a separate protest march and a brief rally, demanding effective measures to stop the rising incidents of rape and violence against women, ensuring justice and the highest punishment for rapists, reported the DU correspondent.

A group of Jahangirnagar University students blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway in front of the university for about half an hour, demanding the resignation of the home adviser, reported the JU correspondent.

The blockade from about 12:15pm to 12:45pm led to a significant traffic congestion on the Aricha-bound lane of the highway, causing delays for commuters and transport vehicles.

A group of Rajshahi University students organised a rally, protesting against the current spate of incidents of mugging and rapes across the country and demanding the resignation of the home adviser, reported New Age staff correspondent in Rajshahai.

Mehedi Maruf, convener of RU unit Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, said, ‘We want to tell the government that if you fail to fulfil your responsibilities, then resign. This country does not need an incompetent adviser like the home adviser who has failed to maintain law and order.’

In Barishal, students of different educational institutions organised rallies, human chains and road blockades at different parts of the city, demanding the resignation of home adviser, reported New Age correspondent in Barishal.

Students under the banner of Dharshon Birodhi Mancho (anti-rape platform) blocked the Barishal-Dhaka highway in Chowmatha area for half an hour, causing a severe traffic congestion.

The platform members also held a sit-in programme at Barishal Central Shaheed Minar.

Besides, students from different educational institutions in Barishal formed a human chain in Chowmatha area.

Students of University of Asia Pacific, Government Science College, Siddheswari Girls’ College and others staged demonstrations, protesting against the rising incidents of rape and the deterioration in law and order situation.

Protests erupted on Sunday and early Monday as students of different educational institutions in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country held demonstrations, protesting against the same issues.

A few hours after Dhaka University students early Monday held a protest procession on the campus demanding the home adviser’s resignation, the adviser at an emergency press conference at about 3:00am on Monday said that the deposed Awami League was responsible for the deterioration in law and order situation.​

 

[Saif]

AL out to destabilise country: home adviser

Awami League people have smuggled out a lot of money to foreign countries and now they are using that money to destabilise the country,’ he told an emergency press conference…

www.newagebd.net

AL out to destabilise country: home adviser
Staff Correspondent 24 February, 2025, 04:03

Home adviser retired Lieutenant General M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury early Monday blamed the deposed Awami League for the deterioration of the law and order situation and alleged that the collaborators of the fascist AL government were putting their all-out efforts to destabilise the country.

‘Awami League people have smuggled out a lot of money to foreign countries and now they are using that money to destabilise the country,’ he told an emergency press conference at his house at Baridhra DOHS in the capital.

Vowing strong measures against the troublemakers, he said, ‘We will not allow them to do so at any cost.’

The home adviser vowed to resist AL efforts at any cost.

He said that he asked the law enforcement agencies to increase patrolling.

The press conference was held a few hours after Dhaka University students held protest processions on the campus demanding his resignation.

Asked about the demand, he said that his resignation was demanded on the grounds of the deterioration of the law and order and he took measures to improve the situation soon and then the demand would be muted.

He said that the situation would improve soon.​

 

[Saif]

We back call for home adviser’s resignation: Hasnat Abdullah

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement supports demands for home adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury’s resignation, its Convenor Hasnat Abdullah said on Monday. “There was a protest at Dhaka University last night demanding the home advisor’s resignation,” Hasnat said during a

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

We back call for home adviser’s resignation: Hasnat Abdullah
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Feb 24, 2025 20:44
Updated :
Feb 24, 2025 20:44

Hasnat Abdullah -- File Photo

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement supports demands for home adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury’s resignation, its Convenor Hasnat Abdullah said on Monday.

“There was a protest at Dhaka University last night demanding the home advisor’s resignation,” Hasnat said during a reporter query at a farewell ceremony for 2025 entrance exam candidates at Nagaish Faizia Razzakia Islamia Dakhil Madrasa in Cumilla’s Brahmanpara upazila. “We are in solidarity with the demand as the country’s overall law and order has declined. We are working to maintain normalcy and prevent mass panic.”

Hasnat was the special guest at the event.​

 

[Saif]

Home adviser describes law-and-order situation as ‘satisfactory’

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has described the law-and-order situation in the country as “satisfactory”, but says there is room for improvement. The adviser spoke to the media on Monday afternoon after a core committee meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs, reports bd

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Home adviser describes law-and-order situation as ‘satisfactory’
Countrywide combined patrols to begin tonight
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Feb 24, 2025 18:51
Updated :
Feb 24, 2025 19:53

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has described the law-and-order situation in the country as “satisfactory”, but says there is room for improvement.

The adviser spoke to the media on Monday afternoon after a core committee meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs, reports bdnews24.com.

He said that in the last 53 years of independence, no media outlet has written that the law-and-order situation in Bangladesh is good.

"Before this, it might have taken two days to learn about the Banasree incident. But now everyone knows about it immediately. That's why we think that there has been a major change in the law-and-order situation. Such minor incidents have happened before, and this happened just a day or two ago. We have discussed what measures can be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. We don't want even a single such incident to happen."

When asked what instructions have been given to law enforcers, the adviser said, "You will see tonight that their activities have increased a lot."

Asked why there had been demands for his resignation despite the satisfactory state of law and order, the adviser said: "You are just talking of my resignation. Since taking up the job in the Ministry of Home Affairs, my funeral has been held and I’ve even been buried. I have received the blessings of experiencing my funeral while I was alive!"

A reporter asked why a 3am press conference was necessary for the home adviser if the law-and-order situation was so satisfactory. Jahangir said: "Under previous regimes, none of you would have been found at this time of night. But now, you have all come within half an hour. Since we know that you are all working day and night, I also want to make it clear that we are also following the same rhythm and working day and night ourselves. To let you know that the home affairs adviser not only works during the day, but also briefs at night if necessary."

Responding to a journalist's question about police are truly active, the adviser said: "You have to be the one to tell me whether the situation is better than how I found it. However, there is room for them to be more active."

Asked whether recent incidents of crime were calling Operation Devil Hunt into question, Jahangir said:

"Operation Devil Hunt was conducted so that quick action could be taken in such incidents. We arrested three people immediately after the incident in Rajshahi. And we have brought the OCs [officers-in-charge] who delayed taking the case to book. We have suspended them. At another time it would not have happened so quickly. Based on your reports, we are also bringing many senior police officers to justice."

According to UNB, the adviser said the government will deploy combined patrol teams across the country from Monday night in a bid to curb crime and strengthen public security.

He said law enforcement agencies will ramp up their activities as incidents of mugging and robbery have surged in different parts of the country, including the capital.

Jahangir Alam said minor incidents always occur, including in recent days, but discussions were held on preventive measures to ensure they do not happen in the future. "We do not want a single such incident to take place," he added.

When asked about directives given to law enforcement agencies, he said, "You will see their increased activities from tonight."

Regarding public concerns over safety, he said, "We held today's meeting to reassure the public. Law enforcement agencies have been given specific instructions to start their intensified operations from this evening, and people will feel the difference right away."​

 

[Saif]

Don’t take law into your own hands: DMP commissioner

Meanwhile, Youth Adviser Asif Mahmud said while major crimes have decreased, smaller crimes have risen

www.thedailystar.net

Don’t take law into your own hands: DMP commissioner
Meanwhile, Youth Adviser Asif Ma

Photo: Collected

Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali yesterday urged people not to take the law into their own hands and to support the police in maintaining law and order.

He made this statement during an inspection of a checkpost at Novo Theatre in Dhaka.

Sajjad said, "We want public assistance in improving policing, but we do not support mob justice. Instead, report crimes to nearby police."

He mentioned that joint operations will target muggers and robbers, with 65 checkpoints set up across Dhaka.

Photo: Anisur Rahman/Star

Regarding the rise in crime, he noted that some criminal groups have become active following the release of top criminals, linking it to incidents like the recent Banasree mugging, which caused public panic.

"These types of crimes have always existed. The media wasn't as free before. Now, in any incident, people take out their phones and start filming," he said.

However, he urged the public's support to control crimes.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud, along with top officials from the police, Rab, and the army, were present.

Photo: Screengrab

Asif Mahmud said while major crimes have decreased, smaller crimes have risen. He assured that no one, regardless of political ties, would be spared for extortion or robbery.

He mentioned that he visited some of the checkposts before arriving here.

"After the July uprising, the strength of law enforcement has not yet returned to its previous level… It's a long-term project," he said.

He added that steps have been taken to strengthen law enforcement agencies, including new recruitment.

"Hopefully, we will see the results soon," he said.

Tejgaon Officer-in-Charge Mobarak Hossain said the checkpost would operate from 11:00pm to 6:00am.​

 

[Saif]

Home adviser must face reality, not try to spin it

Challenges abound, so the government must take effective steps

www.thedailystar.net

Home adviser must face reality, not try to spin it
Challenges abound, so the government must take effective steps

VISUAL: STAR

Only yesterday, we criticised the home adviser's overly optimistic portrayal of the law and order situation, and now a report citing statistics on crimes—from government sources, no less—shows how far from "satisfactory" the situation really is. According to police data based on filed cases, incidents of murder, abduction, robbery, burglary, dacoity, and theft have all increased across the country in January this year, compared to the same month over the last five years. For instance, at least 294 murder cases were recorded in January 2025, up from 231 in the same month last year. Meanwhile, robbery cases rose to 171 in this January, compared to 114 in January 2024, while abduction cases rose to 105 compared to 51 last year.

This trend, fuelling public outrage and security concerns simultaneously, is anything but a sign of a normal situation. On what basis, then, did the home adviser draw his conclusions? Even the much-publicised Operation Devil Hunt, resulting in over 9,000 arrests since February 8, hasn't had the desired effect in restoring order or public confidence. While there is no denying that law enforcement activities have increased significantly of late, experts say that it is the rise in high-impact crimes—rather than overall crime rates—that most influences public perceptions of safety.

For instance, the multiple muggings reported in different parts of Dhaka on Sunday night or the robbery and sexual assault incident on a moving bus on February 17 have, understandably, tapped into anger accumulating over months resulting in an outburst of calls for the home adviser's resignation. True, social media can sometimes disproportionately highlight certain cases while overlooking others that may be more grievous. But a modern police force cannot be distracted by that. It must stay ahead of evolving crimes and criminals, and take effective, multi-pronged steps that improve both safety and public perceptions of it. We have yet to see that happening.

We must recognise that law enforcement agencies are facing challenges on multiple fronts. Leave aside the alleged machinations of the cohorts of Awami League and other political actors. Beyond murder, mugging, and extortion, we have also seen repeated protests, clashes, and mob violence involving different groups over the last few months. Many incidents of attacks on mazar (shrines), darbar sharif (Sufi centres), and Baul akhras were reported. There has been a spike in rape and sexual violence as well. The release of some top criminals after the mass uprising as well as continued circulation of arms and ammunition looted from police stations have also contributed to the rising crime. According to police sources, of the 758 mugging suspects arrested in Dhaka from January 1 to February 20, some 115 have been released on bail. Add to that the role of rumours and misinformation on social media, which is only making matters worse.

Given this explosive situation, we need visible improvements in law and order, not assurances or boastful claims. For that, it is not enough to simply increase law enforcement activities; those in charge must too be made accountable. Given the alarming crime statistics as well as impending security risks associated with Ramadan and election-related activities down the year, the government must treat law enforcement as its number one priority going forward.​