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

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Return of Sundarbans bandits?

On November 2018, the government of the day declared the Sundarbans free of bandits who used to rule the forest and would force forest-dependent people including local fishers, wood-cutters (bawalis), honey collectors (moualis) and crab-catchers to pay protection money to continue with their trade.

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Return of Sundarbans bandits?

SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Jan 19, 2026 00:38
Updated :
Jan 19, 2026 00:38

On November 2018, the government of the day declared the Sundarbans free of bandits who used to rule the forest and would force forest-dependent people including local fishers, wood-cutters (bawalis), honey collectors (moualis) and crab-catchers to pay protection money to continue with their trade. The brigands of the forest were so powerful that the law-enforces who from time to time carried out raids to flush out them from the Sundarbans mostly failed in their missions. For as soon as a raid was over, the robbers would regain their control of the forest. So, the forest-dependent people had to accept the rule of the robbers for survival in the Sundarbans.

Against this backdrop, the then-government hit upon the idea of bringing the robbers back to normal life and assured them amnesty, if they surrendered and laid down their arms. As part of rehabilitation, they were offered jobs/a sum of money to start life afresh. Over 300 of the robbers from some 32 gangs surrendered in response to the government's call and with much fanfare. But has the Sundarbans been rid of the robbers after that surrender event? Not in the least. The fishing community, crab-catchers, the bawalis and moualis, etc., have still to pay protection money on pain of captivity, torture or death. Reports say, some 15,000 fishing families along coastal regions of the Sundarbans are in dire straits under the rule of the forest gangsters who have imposed their so-called 'token system' on them as a condition for their survival. The robbers have meanwhile further extended the scope of their operations. Reports of fishermen being kidnapped, their catches seized at gunpoint and then ransom demanded for their freedom abound. If a victim fails to meet their demand, they are killed and thrown into the river with their legs tied with rope. Of late, tourists and other visitors to the Sundarbans are also becoming their target. Recently, a gang of bandits reportedly kidnapped two tourists and a resort owner from the Kanurkhal area under the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans. Notably, Chandpai Range is one of the four main administrative divisions of the eastern Sundarbans within its Bangladeshi part. However, a law-enforcement team comprising members of Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), RAB and police promptly carried out a raid on the robbers' hideout and successfully rescued the abductees. The gang leader and his associates were arrested during the raid. The incident took place on January 8 this month. Obviously, the local forest-dependent communities are not as lucky. So, they continue to suffer and pay toll to remain in their occupation or die. Law-enforcement is not as effective in the case of those hapless locals.

But it is not just holding forest-dependents to ransom, the brigands are also engaged in poaching and trafficking in skins, meat, other body parts of Bengal Tigers, deer and other animals of the mangrove forest. Now, the Sundarbans is no more 'free of the criminal gangs' as declared seven years back. Things are again back to square one. According to recent reports, Royal Bengal Tigers are being regularly caught in nylon or Galvanised Iron (GI) wire snares set on the trails of the big animals like Bengal Tiger in the forest. According to a report, on January 4, Forest Department people and members of the Village Tiger Response team rescued such an ensnared tiger. The spot was deep in the forest in Shorkir Khal in the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans. Reports based on the local people's view have it that around 100 bandits grouped into 10 to 15 gangs are at present active, especially along the coastal Sundarbans. Some believe turning Sundarbans again into a sanctuary of bandits has taken place with the political changeover following July upsurge. The temporary collapse of law and order might have emboldened some of the former robbers as well as fresh aspirants to stake their claim as rulers of the mangrove forest. But the argument is partially true. In fact, mainstreaming the outlaws is no easy task. Firstly, some of the robbers who tried to return to normal life after the November 2018's amnesty, thanks to the law-enforcement regime, had to regularly appear in court in connection with their previous robbery cases and, thus, spend the entire money the government granted them for their rehabilitation. Others, on the other hand, had to regularly report to the local police stations as they were still under suspicion. So, they could not return to the mainstream even if they wanted to, thanks to the colonial legacy of our law-enforcement regime. So, the situation forced them to return to the dangerous life of an outlaw. But most others among those who surrendered in between 2016 and 2018, have still been trying to live with their families and among their own people despite hardships. But then, how again is the Sundarbans being infested with outlaws? For many, it is, as the maxim goes, old habits die hard-they are hardened criminals. But in some cases, even normal people have been forced into banditry and they blame the police for their misfortune. A boatman in the Sundarbans was reportedly arrested by the police and was falsely charged with being an aider and abettor of robbery. So, it is not surprising how robbers are created out of normal people, while old robbers retain in their profession.

So, both the method of operation and outlook of the law-enforcers towards the population of the coastal people in the pirate-dominated areas of Sundarbans have to change. In truth, it is the locals and robbers who left their old practice know best how and where the pirates and their way of freebooting thrive. The police can take their help in fighting the brigands and establish law and order in the Sundarbans. But that would require taking up a fresh policy by the government to rehabilitate the Sundarbans pirates. At the same time, the government needs to extend a helping hand to the forest-dependent communities so they might be lifted out of their lives of extreme poverty. To be frank, the conditions of the Sundarbans won't ever improve until the government throws a lifeline to the local people.

Since the interim government is at the fag end of its office, the next elected government, hopefully, would take up an extensive and integrated programme to end the rule of the outlaws in the Sundarbans once and for all.​

 

[Saif]

Concerns over illegal trespassing, arms smuggling at border

Illegal border crossings, counterfeit currency trade, and arms smuggling have become major sources of concern. In particular, incidents where criminals escape through the border have posed a challenge to law and order around election centres. Recently, several government meetings on law and...

en.prothomalo.com

Concerns over illegal trespassing, arms smuggling at border

Mahmudul Hasan Dhaka
Updated: 18 Jan 2026, 08: 59

File photo

Illegal border crossings, counterfeit currency trade, and arms smuggling have become major sources of concern. In particular, incidents where criminals escape through the border have posed a challenge to law and order around election centres.

Recently, several government meetings on law and order have raised such concerns regarding the border. In this context, police have been instructed to maintain special vigilance in 27 border districts. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has also been asked to remain extra alert.

At an event at the BGB headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka, on 29 December, home affairs adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) said that the BGB must maintain strict vigilance to ensure that no criminals or terrorists can escape from Bangladesh through the border. He also directed that strict legal action be taken against any officers or personnel who aid or assist smugglers.

According to relevant sources, concern over the border has increased following the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Shaheed Osman Hadi. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) reported that the main accused in Osman Hadi’s murder, Faisal Karim Masud, along with his associate Alamgir Sheikh, fled to India. Law enforcement sources say that strict measures have been stepped up at the border since then.

A source at the police headquarters said that intelligence indicates some individuals involved in covert killings and violence may attempt to leave the country ahead of the election.

Authorities are also wary of illegal arms smuggling. In addition, reports suggest that counterfeit currency traffickers are becoming increasingly active around the border.

Crime experts say that illegal border crossings and smuggling are always risky. With the election approaching, these activities could become an even greater cause for concern.

787 line men in 27 districts

Ahead of the national election, police have compiled a list of individuals involved in illegal border crossings in 27 border districts. The list includes 787 people known as ‘line men’. The police headquarters has instructed heightened surveillance in these districts and intensified operations to arrest the line men.

Analysis of the list shows that Chattogram has 12 line men, Brahmanbaria 37, Cox’s Bazar 99, Feni 10, Cumilla 38, Bandarban 116, Rajshahi 3, Chapainawabganj 38, Joypurhat 16, Naogaon 19, Kushtia 3, Chuadanga 5, Meherpur 16, Satkhira 52, Jashore 30, Jhenaidah 21, Sylhet 58, Moulvibazar 7, Habiganj 13, Sunamganj 32, Nilphamari 9, Lalmonirhat 39, Dinajpur 28, Panchagarh 44, Mymensingh 20, Jamalpur 15 and Sherpur 7 line men.

Police officials say that a large part of border crimes is orchestrated by the so-called line men. Most of them are local residents of the border areas, who have a clear knowledge of the remote paths, rivers, chars and hill trails.

Officials responsible for security in the border areas say that the line men’s operations are also well-planned. They determine safe crossing routes along the border and the timing for night crossings, arrange boats or vehicles, and, when necessary, maintain communication across the border. In many cases, they also have knowledge of the patrol schedules of law enforcement agencies.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, a senior police officer-in-charge in a border district said that the line men are very well-known in the border areas. Everyone knows them. Without them, large-scale illegal crossings or smuggling are almost impossible. They perform the key role of establishing connections at the ground level. In carrying out this work, they often collude with various parties, and a share of the illicit money goes into the pockets of those parties as well.

Major risk from illegal crossings

Sources within law enforcement say that illegal crossings at the border carry two types of risks. Individuals may commit crimes and flee across the border, as happened in the case of Osman Hadi’s killing. Conversely, people crossing illegally from the other side may also engage in criminal activities.

After the July mass uprising, top terrorist Molla Masud had entered the country illegally through the border. On 27 May last year, the army arrested him in Kushtia along with five foreign pistols, ten magazines, 53 bullets, and one satellite phone. Two others, including another top terrorist Subrata Bain, were also arrested at the time. Subrata Bain had previously committed crimes in the country and fled to India.

Law enforcement agencies have information that at least three more top terrorists, released on bail from prison after 5 August 2024, have left the country. However, the police’s Special Branch (SB) immigration unit has no record of their departure through legal channels. This strongly indicates that these individuals also crossed the border illegally. Some of them have been linked to several murder cases in different locations in the Dhanmondi area.

The Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has reported that 7.65-calibre weapons were used in the recent Osman Hadi murder and several other crimes across the country. Police say such bullets are uncommon in the country. This has led to the assumption that new weapons and ammunition have entered illegally, posing a broader security risk.

Meanwhile, on 2 January, a foreign pistol along with four bullets and a magazine was seized from a person in the Kotwali Model police station area of the border district of Cumilla. An internal police memo regarding the weapon stated that one side of its barrel is marked as a 7.65 mm foreign pistol.

When asked about this, Comilla district superintendent of police (SP) Anisuzzaman told Prothom Alo that these weapons have entered the country through various channels. They are uncommon firearms in the country. In most cases, such weapons are rented out, and ownership is transferred in this way.

Concerns over counterfeit money

Typically, the flow of money increases during elections. Unreported cash is also widely used. This creates a heightened risk of counterfeit money circulation. Ahead of this election, the same type of risk has been highlighted in the observations of law enforcement and multiple intelligence agencies.

Sources say that with the introduction of new-design notes this time, it may be difficult for the general public to distinguish genuine notes. Criminals could exploit this opportunity, using border areas as a base to distribute counterfeit money, according to law enforcement sources.

In this context, on 6 November, the BGB announced enhanced operational activities and intelligence monitoring at the borders to prevent counterfeit money. The force’s headquarters stated that public awareness initiatives have been intensified and requested support by providing relevant information to the BGB.

Increased monitoring required

Sources say monitoring is difficult in some areas due to hills, rivers and long stretches of the border. Risky and remote hilly trails in areas like Naikhongchhari in Bandarban are convenient for criminals. In Cumilla’s Burichong, Brahmanpara and Kasba, river and char routes are used for smuggling. In Feni’s Phulgazi, border-adjacent village-based networks are involved in human trafficking and other crimes.

Law enforcement agencies have said that monitoring has been increased in border districts ahead of the national election. Night patrols, observation of the movements of suspicious individuals, and coordinated operations with border security forces are ongoing. As a result, illegal border crossings have decreased somewhat, though sources say they have not been completely stopped.

Analysts say that alongside securing polling centres, controlling the border is crucial to ensuring a fair election. Criminologist and associate professor at Dhaka University’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Touhidul Haque, told Prothom Alo that the practice of committing crimes on this side and taking refuge across the border has been going on for a long time. This situation must be controlled at all costs. If criminals believe they can get away with offences, it will pose a major threat. For this reason, border monitoring must be increased.​

 

[Saif]

Consequences of interim govt's indifference to law and order

The press wing of the Chief Adviser has admitted that 645 incidents of violence against members of the minority communities occurred in 2025 but it clarifies that of those 71 could be categorised as communal. Only recently did the Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed its deep concern over the rising

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Consequences of interim govt's indifference to law and order

Nilratan Halder
Published :
Jan 22, 2026 23:17
Updated :
Jan 22, 2026 23:17

Muktijuddha Jadughar on fire, brought under control after an hour

The press wing of the Chief Adviser has admitted that 645 incidents of violence against members of the minority communities occurred in 2025 but it clarifies that of those 71 could be categorised as communal. Only recently did the Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed its deep concern over the rising violence against women, girls and the minorities. It also accused the interim government of its failure to protect gender equality and minority interests. President of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Dr Fauzia Moslem points her fingers at the rising influence of religious groups and their provocative rhetoric for the shrinkage of socio-political space of women.

The HRW report mentions that in May, 2025, radical religious groups protested against the interim government's attempt to provide momentum to gender equality and women rights. Actually, it began with the unwritten dismissal of the report the Bangladesh Women's Affairs Reform Commission submitted to the Chief Adviser. There was all quiet on that front from the interim government and the religious groups came strongly against the recommendations such as equal inheritance laws and economic empowerment of women.

One thing that should not escape notice is that women and minorities find themselves at the receiving end because they are considered weaker. That women from the majority community are vulnerable to sexual violence and socio-economic discriminations is, therefore, no surprise. The weaker the segment of population is the greater its discrimination and deprivation. Such archaic equation between genders, religious communities only holds back smooth transition of society to the next level of socio-economic progress. Given the opportunities for women to realise their potential, they can contribute to the country's development. Already the small numbers of women who had support from their families and teachers have excelled in their performance in diverse fields. The same is true for the minority communities.

What ought to be rewarded is merit, not political loyalists or known faces of inferior calibre. This is the cardinal value of democracy and the concept of equal opportunities for all. The paranoid bias with intra- and inter-religious relations has to be done away with if society has to develop, safeguarding the interests of people belonging to any faith, segment of society. A divisive society based on affluence on the one hand and penury on the other cannot prosper, so is the case when the religious minorities are maltreated. Society's pluralistic values are its strength and division drags it down.

Following the July-August uprising, mob violence was on the rise. Leave alone the initial unleashing of reprisals immediately after the fall of Hasina government, what about the incidents of anarchic mob violence that followed one after another. Even the Muktijuddha Jadughar became a witness to arson. This government stood a passive onlooker to such core issues of the country's existence. Lately, the setting up of two leading newspapers on fire by mobs has laid bare the incapacity of governance. Its indifference to the rule of law has only encouraged criminals, anti-social elements and even people with no records of legal offences before to take law into their own hands. It has become almost free for all, so far as summary trial is concerned.

In an opinion survey initiated by the Prothom Alo and conducted by the Keymakers Consulting Ltd, a private research organisation, 60 per cent of the respondents think that the government has failed to address decline in the law and order; 39 per cent consider it has been successful in arresting lawlessness and one per cent is undecided. The same report carried in that contemporary has concluded that cases of robbery, theft, mugging and abduction in 2025 increased by 39 per cent over the previous year. Statistics gleaned from the police website has shown an increase of 9,732 cases in 2025 over the previous year's figure. The total number of cases filed was181,737. It is quite logical that increases in such cases translate into more crimes, although a police official claimed the number of crimes has decreased. He did not substantiate his claim.

Against such a backdrop, the attacks on women and minorities should be analysed. When criminals feel encouraged that they can go scot-free because of absence of stringent measures against crimes, there is every chance that the weaker section of society become soft targets of attackers. The important thing was to address lawlessness within a couple of months after formation of the interim government.

It failed to show its resolve to do so. The student leaders, architects of the uprising, also failed to give a good account of themselves in this respect. They should have appealed to their followers to keep watch over activities that destabilise society. Right at the moment they have to prove that their achievement was no fluke. This election is crucial for them but now that they are in the pre-election milieu, their main objective of building a discrimination-free society recedes into distant horizon. Reality is far away from political rhetoric. Much will depend on how the next elected government reacts to the reform agendas various reform commissions recommended. The fates of women empowerment and gender equality along with the religious minorities' rights also rest on the goodwill of that government.​