Crime under political protection and police inaction

The country is in turmoil over allegations of land grabbing, muscle power and extortion against many leaders and activists of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations. Several recent incidents have heightened tensions in the political arena. Concerns over public safety have also emerged. The overall law and order situation remains fragile. Leaders of opposition political parties are also holding satirical programmes. Taken together, the government has found itself in a somewhat embarrassing situation.

Analysts say the crisis cannot be brought under control because alleged criminal activities are taking place under the protection of influential figures in the ruling party amid police inaction. They describe the situation as a warning sign for the government and have called for restoring law and order as soon as possible. Some have also suggested considering measures similar to the 2002 Operation Clean Heart campaign.

At an event at the National Press Club on Monday, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, said, “Incidents of insecurity are taking place everywhere in the country. The situation is such that it seems as if a festival of oppression is underway. Yet such a situation was not supposed to occur after a major mass uprising.”

Meanwhile, Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip, said at a press conference at the party office in Bangla Motor on Monday, “The law-and-order environment in the country is not right. The government is unable to control leaders and activists of the ruling party. Rather, land grabbing and extortion are taking place across the country with the cooperation of the administration.”

He claimed that the home minister had already failed. According to him, it would not be possible to restore the situation to normal while keeping the home minister in office.

However, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has repeatedly said in response to questions from journalists at various events that the country’s law and order situation is satisfactory except for a few isolated incidents. He has also claimed that the situation is comparatively better than before. He said it is not appropriate at all to make sweeping claims that law and order has deteriorated.

BNP Joint Secretary General Emran Saleh Prince told Agamir Somoy, “We are observing several incidents that have taken place in Dhaka over the past few days. We are angry and dissatisfied with these incidents. At the same time, we are embarrassed by the weakness and indifference of the law enforcement agencies.”

The BNP joint secretary general said the BNP is in no way involved in these incidents. He said they have called on the government to bring those involved under strict legal action. He said a high-level committee has been formed for this purpose. The administration is also taking steps.

He said whoever is found to be involved through an impartial investigation will be brought under the law regardless of which party they belong to or how powerful they are.

At the same time, Emran Saleh Prince called on those responsible for maintaining law and order to maintain active vigilance to prevent such incidents.

At least four incidents in the capital over the past few days have turned the discussion over land grabbing, muscle power and extortion into a major national issue.

Around midnight on Thursday, a group demolished the Radda MCH FP Centre in Mirpur, known as a “hospital for the poor,” and took control of the property. Allegations emerged that local leaders and activists of the ruling party as well as a female member of parliament were involved in the incident.

Then at around 11:00 pm on Saturday, an attack and vandalism took place at content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio in ECB Chattar amid a dispute over control and counter control of New Guinea Properties. The attackers arrived in a pickup van and also opened fire. Initially, Salman accused the BNP of extortion but later changed his position.

Earlier, at around 11:00 am on Saturday, an armed attack and vandalism took place in Mohammadpur’s Chand Udyan over the occupation of 17 kathas of land. On the same day at around 6:30 a.m., a group of around 20 people armed with machetes, cleavers and pistols attacked in an attempt to take control of an eight-storey building in Shyamoli Housing in Adabor.

The chilling incident was captured by closed circuit television cameras. The footage later went viral on social media.

Although the Mirpur incident took place in front of police officers, no immediate action was seen against anyone involved in the attack and looting. The Adabor incident also took place near the police station. Despite this, police did not immediately go to the scene after receiving information about the incident. This brought the issue of police inaction to the forefront.

However, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed told Agamir Somoy that police members are actively performing their duties. He said whenever allegations of negligence of duty arise against anyone in connection with an incident, the matter is investigated and action is taken.

He said the police position is always clear. “No party or ideology will be considered. A criminal will be treated as a criminal. No one will be allowed to engage in any kind of land grabbing or illegal or unlawful activity. Those who do so will be brought under the law.”

Speaking to people concerned with the matter, it was learned that local BNP leaders have close communication with the officer in charge of operations at every police station in the country. They allegedly conduct “business” through arrangements with the OCs in the name of having accused persons arrested or released.

As a result, police are allegedly playing the role of silent spectators in incidents of land grabbing, muscle power and extortion carried out under the protection and patronage of local leaders of the ruling party. There are also allegations of illegal financial transactions in this regard.

As a result, such incidents are rapidly spreading across the country. Although responsibility for these incidents is being placed on the government, no effective action is being taken by senior police officials or the Home Ministry. Instead, whenever an incident occurs, the alleged “small fry” are arrested and the incidents are presented as isolated cases.

As a result, those accused are becoming more encouraged to engage in crime.

Land related conflicts are taking place regularly in different parts of the country, not just in Dhaka.

On Saturday, 15 people were injured in a clash between two groups over a land dispute in Dharmapasha of Sunamganj. The previous day on Friday, at least 30 people were injured in a clash between residents of two villages in Singra upazila of Natore over the occupation of Eidgah field land.

At noon on Sunday, at least 25 people were injured in a clash between two groups over control of CNG powered auto rickshaw and battery powered easy bike stands and establishing dominance on the Old Hospital Road in Bahubal Bazar of Habiganj.

On Friday, more than 50 people were injured in a serious clash between two groups of the upazila BNP in Austagram of Kishoreganj over control of a waterbody.

In most cases, victims allege that during the 18 months of the interim government that took charge after the July Mass Uprising, the police were virtually helpless. At that time, police officers were frequently attacked while performing their professional duties.

Even during the seven months of the current government, police have not been performing their duties as strictly as before. Police command problems, divisions into different parties and factions and internal grouping and tagging are being blamed for this.

There is a lack of urgency among police at the field level. There are also allegations that some police officers have links with fugitive leaders and activists of the Awami League, whose activities are banned.

Meanwhile, as an alternative initiative to extortion, Member of Parliament and NCP chief organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah has announced the installation of a “Rehabilitation Donation Box” and a public begging programme in Bangla Motor in the capital.

He announced the programme through a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

In the post, Hasnat Abdullah wrote, “A public begging programme this time for the starving leaders and activists of the government party for 17 years! Give alms. Your Tk 1 may keep someone away from the path of extortion.”

Highlighting the purpose of the programme, he called on people to donate, stop extortion and take part in the national rehabilitation of extortionists who have been hungry for 17 years.

When asked, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman told Agamir Somoy, “The failure to control land grabbing and extortion in different parts of the country including the capital Dhaka is a warning sign for the government. Accountability in these incidents as well as a campaign for self purification within the party are needed.”

Responding to a question about several recent incidents in Dhaka, he said, “The incidents are not isolated matters. Rather, they are a warning sign for the government and the ruling party. Exemplary punishment must be ensured for those involved in these incidents.”