Weak execution of steps to restore law, order

The government has taken a number of initiatives over the past six months to restore normalcy to the country’s law and order situation and sustain that stability said Dr. Tawohidul Haque, an Associate Professor and Criminologist at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka However, progress in translating those initiatives into concrete measures and implementing them effectively at the field level has been relatively weak and not complied.

He said, the government has demonstrated a clear and genuine commitment to restoring law and order, and that intention deserves to be acknowledged. At the same time, the government is facing several challenges that have emerged over the past six months, he added.

Broadly speaking, one of the major obstacles is a lack of coordination within the police force. There appears to be a gap between policymakers and officers working at the field level. Decisions taken at the central level are not always properly owned, understood or implemented by those responsible for carrying them out. This has resulted in a degree of sluggishness in operational activities and weakened the effectiveness of law enforcement.

Another challenge is the pressure faced by law enforcement agencies, which are frequently subjected to criticism, attacks and questions over their activities. Such pressure can embolden criminals and encourage them to become more active.

A further concern is the enforcement of the law. In some cases, suspects arrested in connection with serious crimes are released on bail within a short period. There are also allegations-and in some instances evidence-that serious offences are being presented in cases as relatively minor or bailable offences. When criminals are able to secure quick bail, it can encourage them to resume criminal activities.

Mob violence has also emerged in a new form in Bangladesh. The country has witnessed a wave of mob violence at different stages, including during the previous political government and the interim administration. While mob violence continues, it has now acquired a political dimension under the current political government. This has made it particularly difficult to control the activities of political leaders and activists.

There are also internal conflicts and rivalries within political parties. These disputes can lead to killings, clashes, attacks, injuries and other forms of violence.

At the same time, it has become difficult to keep all political activists within an organisational and ideological framework. Some have become involved in criminal activities such as extortion, land grabbing and other forms of illegal activity.

The police were already operating under considerable pressure and institutional limitations. The additional challenges they are now facing are creating new obstacles to their efforts to restore and maintain law and order.

Ultimately, there is still some uncertainty over how law enforcement agencies are expected to operate. Following the events of August 5, there was an expectation that the law enforcement agencies would work in coordination with the government. However, in Bangladesh, political parties often take one position on law enforcement when they are in opposition and adopt a different position once they come to power.

Such contradictory political positions can also embolden criminals-whether they are affiliated with political parties, professional criminals or people who depend on criminal activities for their livelihood.

Unless these multifaceted challenges are addressed effectively, restoring normalcy to the country’s law and order situation will remain difficult.