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

[Saif]

Combing operating: No criminal should get away

Improving law and order is essential to ensuring the safety to citizens and their property, as well as keeping the economy running smoothly.

en.prothomalo.com

Combing operating: No criminal should get away
Editorial Desk
Published: 01 Mar 2025, 13: 48

The joint forces on the night of 25 February launched a combing operation against criminals in Dhaka. Adviser of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that afternoon, “You will understand the situation after dusk.” There may be debate regarding whether law and order has improved over the last few days, but it can be asserted with certainty that the situation has not worsened. According to words of the home adviser, the criminals have, to some extent, felt the impact.

According to reports from Prothom Alo, citing the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), 793 individuals have been arrested in the capital as part of the ongoing operation. During this period, DMP set up 65 checkpoints and deployed 550 patrol teams. As part of Operation Devil Hunt, which started on 8 February, more than 11,000 individuals have been arrested over the past 19 days.

Since the start of the operation, DMP has been providing daily updates. Prior to this, the home adviser set a precedent by holding a press conference at early hours of 3:00 AM. Subsequently, adviser Asif Mahmud also briefed journalists at night, providing updates on the law and order situation.

Although there had been no significant visible improvement in law and order in recent days, incidents of mugging and robbery have decreased. The criminals who once instilled fear in neighbourhoods are now living in fear themselves. Many are fleeing. The duty of law enforcement agencies is to track them down, regardless of where they attempt to hide and bring them to justice.

The holy month of Ramadan is approaching. During this period, movement at night is expected to increase due to shopping, iftar gatherings and sehri preparations. Consequently, the risk of mugging, robbery and theft will also rise.in this context, night-time operations must be intensified during Ramadan.

One crucial point must be emphasised. The success of the operation cannot be measured solely by the number of criminals been caught. Those who remain at large must also be tracked down. No area should be left unchecked, intensifying operations in some locations while relaxing in others. If coordinated operations are conducted nationwide, criminals will inevitably be brought to justice.

In the past, such operations have failed due to political interference. On several occasions, individuals arrested as criminals were later found to be affiliated with the ruling party, leading to their release through the exertion of influence. However, as the current government is entirely apolitical, it should have no vested interest in protecting any particular group. Every case must be investigated impartially and thoroughly to ensure that no innocent person is subjected to harassment, while no actual offender escapes justice.

Improving law and order is essential to ensuring the safety to citizens and their property, as well as keeping the economy running smoothly.

Without progress in law and order, it will also be challenging to fulfill the interim government’s commitment to holding elections, as promised to the public. In addition to the Ministry of Home Affair’s Adviser, we have seen another Adviser express concern ovr the security situation.

It is hoped that all relevant ministers will step forward from their respective positions to address these issues. At the very least, senior officials of DMP should not limit their role to issuing directives but should also conduct on-site inspections to oversee the operations directly.​

 

[Bilal9]

So @Saif bhai - what is the general consensus on the street about AL causing destabilizing scenario?

 

[Saif]

So @Saif bhai - what is the general consensus on the street about AL causing destabilizing scenario?

Some people in the know say that it is not Awami League but BNP which is causing the unrest in Bangladesh at the behest of India. BNP is trying its best to prove to India that it is ready to go out of its way to safeguard India's political interest in Bangladesh so that India use its political muscle to keep BNP in power for a long long time. BNP is opposing the reform of the constitution written by Awami League and also they are opposing the removal of President Chuppu who was appointed by Awami League. BNP has literally transformed itself into a B team of Awami league to garner India's support. The whole thing is very depressing. I used to be a staunch supporter of BNP but after seeing the anti state activities of BNP I have switched side to support the new political party launched by the anti discrimination protesters. Peace.

 

[Bilal9]

Some people in the know say that it is not Awami League but BNP which is causing the unrest in Bangladesh at the behest of India. BNP is trying its best to prove to India that it is ready to go out of its way to safeguard India's political interest in Bangladesh so that India use its political muscle to keep BNP in power for a long long time. BNP is opposing the reform of the constitution written by Awami League and also they are opposing the removal of President Chuppu who was appointed by Awami League. BNP has literally transformed itself into a B team of Awami league to garner India's support. The whole thing is very depressing. I used to be a staunch supporter of BNP but after seeing the anti state activities of BNP I have switched side to support the new political party launched by the anti discrimination protesters. Peace.

You are correct - BNP stalwarts, who were as corrupt as the AL in their rule, have to be stopped from coming to power again. They were approached by RAW by the usual contacts and are trying to stage a comeback of India-shill politics in Bangladesh.

 

[Saif]

No room for mob justice, moral policing

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan yesterday firmly stated there is no room for mob justice or moral policing in the country.

www.thedailystar.net

No room for mob justice, moral policing
Environment adviser tells press briefing

Photo: PID

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan yesterday firmly stated there is no room for mob justice or moral policing in the country.

"The government has consistently taken a strong stance against such actions. However, as law and order have not yet been fully restored to normalcy, incidents of mob justice and moral policing have been observed in some areas," she said at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.

Referring to a recent incident in Mohammadpur, Rizwana said, "We understand that both parties involved have signed a compromise agreement in the presence of police. Since a settlement has been reached, we must respect it as the final resolution."

She, however, said the government does not support any form of violence against women.

The press briefing was attended by Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi.​

 

[Saif]

Surreal times: Mob violence and feeble response

It is becoming difficult to say whether the government is trying to run a country in earnest or just playing house

www.thedailystar.net

Surreal times: Mob violence and feeble response

The times are indeed strange, bordering on the surreal.

A mob of a few hundred people stormed a house in Gulshan simply because there was rumour of a secret stash inside. They claimed that it belonged to one Tanvir Imam, son of HT Imam, who was a close confidante of the ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. It did not. In fact, the house reportedly belonged to the father of a woman that Tanvir Imam had divorced almost two decades ago. But that is besides the point.

The mob was so oblivious to the impropriety of what they were perpetrating that they even had the bright idea of inviting Youtubers and TV reporters who filmed them live and broadcast the scenes as it happened. The police only managed to show up much later after the mob had broken in and was well into what is suspected to have been a looting spree, even though the police station is practically minutes—less than a kilometre—away. It is baffling that the police took so long as they did to respond to the emergency.

And now the chief adviser's press wing has issued a statement that essentially strives to explain the matter further saying that the former caretaker of the house had rounded up people to go in and loot the place. As if, that completely absolves the authorities of any responsibilities. As if, since the former caretaker was involved, it is a perfectly acceptable scenario that hundreds of strangers can force their way into a house.

The brief statement also cites the home ministry, which is even more ironic and rather reminiscent of Bengali movies where the police would appear only after the protagonist had beaten the villain to a bloody pulp to caution the hero saying "do not take the law into your hands." The home ministry statement urged everyone not to take the law into their hands!

Just the other day, a woman was almost lynched for smoking in public. Another suspected thief had his hands broken and eyes gouged out. The general climate of lawlessness has only become stronger because of weak policing. Strengthening law enforcement seems to be the least of the home adviser's concern. In fact, one wonders what his concerns are exactly, since he has not let the press hold him to account so far.

But from the home ministry's missive to the people, it is becoming difficult to say whether the government is trying to run a country in earnest or just playing house.​

 

[Saif]

Probe in rape cases to complete in 15 days, trial in 90 days: Law adviser

The government has taken an initiative to bring down the time of investigation in cases filed on allegations of rape and torture of women to 15 days from existing 30 days. The time of completing the trial will have to be completed within 90 days in those cases.

en.prothomalo.com

Probe in rape cases to complete in 15 days, trial in 90 days: Law adviser
Special Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 09 Mar 2025, 19: 17

Law adviser Asif Nazrul File photo

The government has taken an initiative to bring down the time of investigation in cases filed on allegations of rape and torture of women to 15 days from existing 30 days. The time of the trial will have to be completed within 90 days in those cases.

The government will finalise the time after necessary discussions with stakeholders, law adviser Asif Nazrul said at a media briefing at the law ministry Sunday.

Home adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and information and broadcast adviser Md Mahfuj Alam also addressed the news briefing.

The government has taken the initiative in the face of a huge public reaction across the country due to the rape of an 8-year-old girlchild at the house of her sister’s in-laws in Magura.

The law adviser said the government was already thinking about some legal steps to prevent rape and violence against women. The decisions were taken from a meeting today, Sunday.

He, however, mentioned that the final decisions will be taken after discussions with the stakeholders.

The legal changes will be introduced within a few days, Asif Nazrul hoped.

The law adviser said earlier the authorities used to change the investigation officers in case of the IO’s failure to complete the investigation within 30 days, which ultimately led to delay in the trial.

Now the government will amend the law in such a way so that the first investigation officer cannot be changed and he will have to complete the investigation within the stipulated time.

He further said the trial will have to be completed within 90 days and none can be granted bail if the trial is not completed by that time. As per the existing law, an accused could be granted bail if the trial is not completed by 180 days.

Asif Nazrul stated that a specific provision will be included in the act for taking departmental actions against the officials in cases of negligence in the trial from their side.

Mentioning that currently, DNA test results are necessary for taking legal actions in rape cases, the law adviser said necessary amendments will be brought in this regard since this facility is not available across the country.

An amendment will be made so that if a judge thinks only medical certificates are enough to conduct the trial process, he could go ahead, Asif Nazrul, also a professor of law department at Dhaka University, said.

The law ministry, home ministry and all the relevant government offices will act promptly to ensure that there is no procrastination for the trial of the case filed over the rape of an 8-year-old girlchild at the house of her sister’s in-laws in Magura, Asif Nazrul insisted.​

 

[Saif]

Govt to arrest mobs instantly, on-site: Adviser Mahfuj

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam has stated that from now on, anyone involved in whipping up mobs or creating any kind of disorder will be arrested directly from the spot. He made this statement on Sunday (March 9) during a press briefing at the Ministry of Law’s conference r

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt to arrest mobs instantly, on-site: Adviser Mahfuj
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Mar 09, 2025 23:56
Updated :
Mar 09, 2025 23:56

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam has stated that from now on, anyone involved in whipping up mobs or creating any kind of disorder will be arrested directly from the spot.

He made this statement on Sunday (March 9) during a press briefing at the Ministry of Law’s conference room, UNB reports.

The Adviser mentioned that discussions had taken place in the Chief Adviser's office regarding incidents of violence and harassment against women in various locations.

He added, “The law is blind; it will not consider the criminal's caste, ethnicity, or gender, whether they are male or female. Whoever conducts mob justice—whether religious or non-religious—they will be brought under the law from today onwards.”

Mahfuj Alam also said, “Any place where 'mob justice' incidents have occurred, we will take necessary legal actions or handle matters from our side through proper legal procedures.”

The Information Adviser also said, “Mob justice, robberies, property seizures, and other social issues that have caused instability and anarchy in society will now be met with a zero-tolerance approach.”

He informed that those involved in the Shahbagh incident are under surveillance, saying, “Our intelligence agencies are active in monitoring any disturbances or incidents of mob justice from the past seven to eight months. We have instructed them to take a more proactive approach in keeping everything under surveillance.

“From today onwards, we will collect all the information collectively, and any criminal will be arrested on the spot. We will not wait for one more day,” he added.

He also mentioned, “Programs will be organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture to raise awareness against violence and harassment of women and children. Additionally, we are considering monitoring media coverage of issues related to law and order, mob justice, militancy, and other potential issues to ensure they are presented properly in the media.”

“We will sit with the media outlets to discuss how they will focus on these issues. Our ministry will try to reorganize this establishment to ensure the public gets accurate information.”

The Adviser stated, “For the past 6-7 months, there has been a communication war against this government, both within Bangladesh and from India. From now on, we will enter into a counter-communication war.”​

 

[Saif]

Govt adopts zero tolerance policy against anarchies: Mahfuz

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam on Sunday said the government has taken a zero-tolerance policy against social instability or any form of anarchy. “Whoever commits crime or mob justice, irrespective of religion, caste or gender, will be brought under the law,” he said

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt adopts zero tolerance policy against anarchies: Mahfuz
BSS
Published :
Mar 09, 2025 20:56
Updated :
Mar 09, 2025 20:56

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam on Sunday said the government has taken a zero-tolerance policy against social instability or any form of anarchy.

“Whoever commits crime or mob justice, irrespective of religion, caste or gender, will be brought under the law,” he said while speaking at a media briefing on law and order at the law ministry conference room in Dhaka this afternoon.

Among others, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury were present during the briefing.

Mahfuz said that from now onwards, the government will play a strict role in case of any anarchy or mob violence.

He, however, said the government will hold meetings with media personnel soon to discuss how the media will create awareness among the common people on law and order.

“If need, we will discuss with the Ministry of Culture to determine the process of campaigning law and order issues. We can carry out several types of campaigns including awareness video to make people more aware,” he said.​

 

[Saif]

Build social resistance against rapists, abusers of women and children

To ensure the protection of women and children, we must first move away from this culture of impunity

en.prothomalo.com

Build social resistance against rapists, abusers of women and children
Editorial Desk
Published: 10 Mar 2025, 15: 32

Editorial Prothom Alo illustration

What kind of society are we living in! Neither young girls are safe here nor are women, whether at home out outside of the home. In recent times, several incidents of rape and abuse have taken place, shocking the entire society.

The incidents of two young women being physically assaulted over smoking, a female student at Dhaka University being harassed due to her attire and a woman in Bakerganj being publicly beaten for protesting against inappropriate behaviour are deeply concerning. Yet the firm action that should have been taken by the state and government remain largely absent.

Last week an eight-year old child was raped while visiting her sister’s home in Magura, a crime so heinous that it brings utter disgrace to our society. The criminal of this horrific act was none other than the father-in-law of the child’s sister, a man who proved to be utterly inhuman.

A case has been filed under Section 9(4) A/30 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, accusing the criminals of rape and causing injury through rape. The victim’s sister’s husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law and elder brother-in-law have been named as defendants in the case. They were held in police custody and have now been shown as arrested in connection with the case.

The child is currently in a critical condition and is receiving treatment at CMH in Dhaka. Prior to this, she was treated at Magura General Hospital, Faridpur Medical College and Dhaka Medical College Hospital. As there was no improvement in her condition, she was transferred to CMH for further treatment.

People from various social and professional backgrounds across the country have protested against the rape and abuse of women and children. Public and private university teachers and students have also taken the streets, similar to their participation in last year’s anti-autocratic movement. Statistics indicate that in Bangladesh, the majority of incidents of abuse against women and children are committed by family members and close relatives.

With one incident of abuse against women after another, what is the government doing? What are the members of the law enforcement agencies doing? When a crime occurs, the may file a case, but most of those who commit such heinous act remain beyond reach. Recently, in a case of child rape in Dinajpur, the defendant, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, was released on bail within just eight and a half years. The victim child and her family are now living in fear and insecurity.

Although there are numerous laws against the abuse of women and children in the country, their proper implementation is lacking. Even when cases are filed, adequate investigations are not conducted. A few years ago, a study by Prothom Alo revealed that only 3% of those accused in child and women abuse cases are convicted. Under these circumstances, there is no reason to believe that incidents of abuse against women and children will decrease.

In the Magura case, the High Court has instructed that the investigation into the case (where the child has been allegedly raped) be completed within 30 working days and that the trial should be concluded within 180 days of taking the charges into consideration. When the law operates at its own pace, the High Court need not intervene. It is hoped that the relevant authorities will complete the investigation and judicial proceedings within the prescribed time.

To ensure the protection of women and children, we must first move away from this culture of impunity. In every case, the criminals must be assured of punishment. At the same time, social resistance must be built against the criminals. Say “no” to all forms of abuse against women and children, including rape.​

 

[Saif]

Reconstructing society: Lessons from a cybercrime case

Girl targeted with AI deepfake porn & extortion. Community unites for justice.

www.thedailystar.net

Reconstructing society: Lessons from a cybercrime case

ILLUSTRATION: FREEPIK

Two months back, I was drawn into a traumatic cybercrime case that highlighted the depth of societal issues we face today. The ordeal began when the family of a young adolescent girl reached out to me to help uncover the identity of someone harassing their daughter through a fake messenger account. Shockingly, the perpetrator had used AI technology to create explicit videos of the girl by superimposing her face onto pornographic footage. They then demanded money, threatening to either share the videos with a wider audience or resort to an even more horrific act: throwing acid at her.

These crimes not only gravely violate personal dignity but frighteningly misuse emerging technology. With the support of law enforcement, journalists, development workers, lawyers, and activists, I joined the family in their pursuit of justice. Together, we embarked on a relentless 15-day journey to identify the perpetrator.

When the truth finally came to light, I was stunned to discover that the person responsible was a 15-year-old girl and that she had targeted multiple girls with the same malicious actions. I was shaken to my core, not just because of the unexpected identity of the perpetrator, but because of the deeper implications it holds for our society.

As I reflect on this experience, I find myself deeply questioning the foundational structures of our society, the role of families, the effectiveness of the educational system, and the values implanted in children. These questions weigh heavily on my heart, leaving me grappling with the unsettling reality of the societal trajectory. What makes this even more alarming is that the girl's parents are both teachers—individuals entrusted with shaping the minds and values of countless children in our society. It highlights the shortcomings of our social institutions, and the need for increased empathy, respect, and understanding of the consequences of our actions.

Family is essential for teaching empathy, discipline, and morals. Rigid control can promote negative views and criminal behaviour, further warping children's moral compass, while neglectful circumstances can cause them to seek authority or recognition. In the context of this case, one could wonder: what unmet emotional needs or lack of guidance led the perpetrator to such an act? Families need to be more aware of the emotional and psychological needs of their children, teaching them the importance of respect, self-awareness, and ethical behaviour.

The educational system often prioritises academic achievement over emotional and social development, neglecting digital literacy, ethics, and interpersonal skills. To create emotionally intelligent citizens, schools should focus on empathy and responsibility. They should help students evolve to create a meticulous understanding of the impact of their actions on others.

The rise of social media has influenced young minds, leading to a culture of validation and attention-seeking. It's crucial to create safe spaces for young people to express themselves without resorting to harmful or unethical means.

Why a person might find such criminal acts tempting requires delving into the psychosocial factors at play. Adolescents are naturally curious and impressionable. When combined with easy access to advanced technology, curiosity can lead to dangerous experimentation. The perpetrator in this case likely did not fully understand the harm and long-term consequences of her actions. For some individuals, committing such acts provides a sense of control or power. Insecure adolescents, for instance, may resort to harmful behaviours as a way to assert dominance or gain social validation.

A lack of emotional intelligence and coping mechanisms can lead to destructive actions. Adolescents often struggle with managing emotions such as anger, jealousy, or insecurity, and without proper guidance, they may channel these feelings in the wrong way. Families must deliberately foster open communication, emotional intelligence, and respect. The education system must be restructured to create platforms for students to share their experiences and concerns without fear of judgment.

Communities need to foster inclusivity and provide support for local initiatives, youth clubs, and safe digital platforms as outlets for adolescents to express themselves and build a sense of belonging. Modernising religious and ethical organisations is necessary to meet today's issues of empathy and social responsibility.

This incident has been a painful wake-up call but also reinforced my commitment to advocating for change. We cannot move forward by clinging to outdated mindsets or ignoring the pressing need for reform. Instead, we must create a society where inclusivity, empathy, and mutual understanding are valued above all else. Reconstruction begins with each of us. By addressing the gaps in our social institutions and understanding the psychosocial dimensions of behaviour, we can pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate future.

Taslima Tinni is a human rights activist.​