M K Alam; DHAKA – A surge in organized attacks on police officers during arrest raids has sparked deep unease within the force, hampering law enforcement efforts and deteriorating the country’s overall security situation.
Reports indicate that criminals and their associates are increasingly forming “mobs” to obstruct justice, often snatching suspects from custody and injuring officers.
In the latest incident in Narayanganj last Thursday, a group of 10–15 people attacked a police team investigating a robbery, stabbing two officers and snatching a shotgun.
While the weapon was recovered four hours later, the incident highlights a growing trend of lawlessness.
The “Mob Culture” Crisis
Crime analysts attribute this defiance to the “mob culture” that gained momentum following the July 2024 mass uprising.
Despite the transition to an elected government in February 2026, the police force has yet to regain its full operational confidence.
“Previously, criminals feared the police; now, it seems the police are wary of the criminals,” said Dr. Kamrul Islam, a victim of an extortion attempt in Dhaka.
Statistics of Concern
According to the Foundation for Human Rights Culture (MSF), mob violence is on the rise:
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April: 49 mob incidents resulting in 21 deaths.
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March: 36 mob incidents resulting in 19 deaths.
A Force in Hesitation
Internal sources within the police suggest that field-level officers are hesitant to use force, fearing legal or social repercussions.
This psychological inertia has emboldened gangs in districts like Faridpur, Bagerhat, and Jessore, where suspects have been forcibly freed from police custody.
Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, Additional IGP (Crime and Operations), stated that while police morale is still recovering, the force is making maximum efforts to control the situation.
“The improvement is slow, but we are working to regain public trust and restore order,” he said.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed recently declared a “zero-tolerance” policy toward mob justice, but ground realities suggest that without a more empowered and confident police force, the wave of criminal defiance may continue to escalate.