The interim government on Sunday launched a nationwide combing operation amid a surge in criminal acts, including murder, extortions, and mob violence, in the country, sparking public outrage and anxiety.
The decision came in a meeting of the advisory committee on the law and order at the home ministry at the secretariat on Sunday in a bid to tackle the deteriorating law and order situation, bring perpetrators of recent violent crimes to justice, and ensure a stable pre-election environment, according to officials.
Despite nearly a year under the Professor Muhammad Yunus-led interim government 鈥攆ormed after the ouster of the Awami League regime amid a student-led uprising on August 5, 2024 鈥� the country continues to witness an alarming rise in crimes, including murder, mugging, extortion, and mob violence.
At a press briefing following the law and order meeting, home adviser retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that the government had initiated a special combing operation alongside the routine drives to contain the crime wave.
鈥楾he decision was taken in light of the rise in various crimes such as murder, theft, robbery, extortion, violence against women, terrorism, and drug smuggling,鈥� he said.
He further stated that preparations for the next general election must be completed by December 31, and the joint drive is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining the law and order during this period.
The government on Sunday also extended the magistracy powers of armed forces officers for an additional 60 days with effect from July 14.
A circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration confirmed that officers of the rank of captain or above 鈥� including those seconded to the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh 鈥� will continue to exercise the special magistracy powers.
Despite the military deployment since past year to support civilian law enforcement, crimes continue to surge, raising questions about the effectiveness of state mechanisms.
The announcement of combing operation comes after a string of violent crimes, many caught on video and widely circulated on social media, shocked the people and raised serious concerns about people鈥檚 safety.
One of the incidents was the brutal daylight killing of scrap metal trader Lal Chand alias Sohag in the capital鈥檚 Mitford area on Wednesday. Video clips of the assault went viral, triggering widespread criticism over law enforcement鈥檚 failure to intervene.
鈥楽o far, seven out of the 19 suspects in the Mitford murder case have been arrested,鈥� the home adviser said at the press briefing, adding that the government was considering transferring the case to a Speedy Trial Tribunal.
He described the incident as 鈥榖rutal and inhumane,鈥� and said that authorities were probing whether there was any police negligence during or after the killing.
鈥楴o one will be spared鈥攔egardless of their political affiliation. The law applies equally to everyone,鈥� Jahangir added.
In another incident, a group of armed men stormed a business establishment in the capital鈥檚 Pallabi area on Friday, reportedly after being denied Tk five crore in extortion money.
The same day, in Khulna city, assailants killed expelled Juba Dal leader Mahbubur Rahman by severing his tendons and shooting him in front of his residence. Police have already arrested one suspect in connection with the killing, said Jahangir.
Meanwhile in Chandpur, a 75-year-old mosque khatib was attacked with a machete after Jumma prayer on Friday. The elderly religious leader was severely injured.
Data from rights groups and police headquarters paint a grim picture. According to Ain O Salish Kendra, 121 people were killed and 4,892 injured in 444 incidents of political violence between August 2024 and May 2025.
According to police headquarters crime statistics, 341 murder cases were filed across the country in May, 336 cases in April, 316 cases in March, and 300 cases in February.
A total of 177 robbery cases were reported across the country in May, 149 cases in April, 171 cases in March, and 153 cases in February, the PHQ data showed.
A total of 67 dacoity cases were reported in May, 46 cases in April, 74 cases in March, and 60 cases in February.
The data show that 766 cases of theft were reported in May, 715 cases in April, 866 cases in March, and 673 cases in February.
The PHQ data show that 177 cases were filed under the Arms Act in May, 140 cases in April, 131 cases in March, and 101 cases in February.
A total of 62 police assault cases were filed in May against 52 cases in April.
On the other hand, the number of narcotics cases continued to rise over the past four months of this year as 4,443 cases were reported in May, followed by 4,392 cases in April, 4,075 cases in March, and 3,632 cases in February, according to the PHQ record.
Police Headquarters AIG (Media and PR) Enamul Haque Sagar told 抖阴精品 that field-level officers had already been instructed to apprehend criminals, including extortionists and muggers.
鈥楶olice are acting under the home ministry鈥檚 direction to implement the combing operation and crack down on criminal elements,鈥� he said.
Police on Sunday detained a total of 1568 people in special drives across the country in connection with various cases.
Earlier, the government in February launched 鈥極peration devil hunt鈥� by the joint forces across the country in a bid to arrest the deteriorating law and order, bringing the perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.