How Did the Government Handle Law and Order in Six Months?

How Has the Government Performed on Law and Order After Six Month

Six months after the new government took office, the country has yet to see the expected improvement in the law-and-order situation. Cases of murder, violence against women and children, and attacks on police have increased. Incidents of open gunfire, extortion, snatching and the freeing of suspects from custody on busy roads, markets and business establishments have also raised public concern. Meanwhile, police officers on the ground have yet to fully regain their morale following the July mass uprising.

An analysis of seven categories of cases filed across the country shows that 21,756 cases were recorded between February and July this year. In the previous six months—from August last year to January this year—21,228 cases were filed in the same seven categories. This represents an increase of 528 cases, or around 2.5%.

The seven categories are murder, violence against women and children, attacks on police, robbery and dacoity, snatching, kidnapping, and theft. Cases increased in the first three categories but declined in the other four.

However, the figures obtained from the Police Headquarters represent registered cases rather than all crimes committed during the period. Many victims do not report incidents to the police, while some complaints are not formally registered as cases. Therefore, case numbers alone cannot provide a complete picture of the country’s crime situation.

After forming the government, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had said that improving law and order and restoring public confidence in the police would be priorities. At Police Week in May, he instructed police to play a more effective role in preventing mob violence, juvenile gangs and the spread of drugs.

However, nearly six months into the government’s tenure, the crime statistics and the situation on the ground indicate that the expected improvement in law and order has yet to materialise.