Dhaka is rapidly descending into a city plagued by fear as incidents of murder, robbery, and snatching surge alarmingly.
Hardly a day passes without reports of violent crimes, keeping residents on edge at all hours.
Whether by day or night, people navigate the streets with trepidation, as criminal gangs strike with impunity whenever they find an opportune moment in secluded or dimly lit areas.
The growing audacity of professional criminals has prompted senior police officials to take notice, identifying four primary reasons behind this crime wave.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) media wing, between October and December, 158 murders were recorded across the capital. During this period, 17 robbery cases and 122 snatching incidents were formally reported.
However, arrests have been notably high, with 803 snatchers detained in three months.
In the first 22 days of January alone, law enforcement agencies arrested 489 individuals involved in such crimes, although officials could not confirm the exact number of snatching incidents during this period.
Crime Surge: Causes and Concerns
The rise in criminal activities has sparked concerns over whether the police's weakened state post-5 August is solely responsible or if deeper systemic issues are at play.
Conversations with four senior field-level DMP officers have shed light on the key factors fuelling this crime spree.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, officials pointed to four primary reasons behind the surge.
Firstly, criminals no longer fear the police as they once did, emboldened by a perceived lack of stringent enforcement.
Secondly, police officers on routine patrols are now predominantly armed with rubber bullets rather than lethal weapons, reducing deterrence against hardened criminals.
Thirdly, organised criminal gangs have intensified operations, often acting under the leadership of notorious area-based crime bosses.
These networks provide mutual protection, facilitating quick bail for arrested members and ensuring the continuity of illicit activities.
Lastly, the judicial system's leniency in granting bail to professional offenders has further emboldened them; many suspects with multiple cases against them manage to exploit legal loopholes to secure early release.
Police Response and Judiciary’s Role
In response, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime & Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam acknowledged that while sporadic incidents persist, the overall crime rate has not worsened.
"It is impossible to eliminate crime entirely, but we are working to keep it under control. Hundreds of professional snatchers have already been arrested, and our crackdown continues," he stated.
Nazrul Islam also noted that social factors play a role in crime escalation.
"Group-based criminal activity has increased significantly. We are closely monitoring their movements and intensifying raids to apprehend them.
Additionally, we are taking steps to ensure professional criminals do not easily obtain bail. Since bail decisions rest with the court, we are compiling detailed criminal profiles to submit as evidence against repeat offenders," he explained.
Public Prosecutor Advocate Omar Faruq Faruqi acknowledged the rising crime rate and increased instances of bail approvals.
In response, a high-level meeting was convened on 25 January at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s (CMM) Court, attended by judges, police officials, and government lawyers.
Faruqi emphasised the need for stricter scrutiny in bail applications, particularly concerning cases of snatching, extortion, and illegal occupation.
A Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-ranked police officer, speaking anonymously, admitted that the events of 5 August had significantly disrupted law enforcement across the country.
He revealed that many previously incarcerated professional criminals have since secured bail and reassembled their gangs, leading to a spike in offences such as robbery, extortion, and snatching.
The economic downturn has further exacerbated the situation, particularly among the city’s slum dwellers and lower-income groups, many of whom have turned to crime due to job losses and financial desperation.
"The police alone cannot resolve this crisis—it requires a broader, multi-agency effort," he remarked.
Expert Insights: A Shifting Crime Landscape
Dr Tauhidul Haque, associate professor at the Social Welfare and Research Institute, University of Dhaka, observed that both crime patterns and criminal profiles have evolved significantly, yet law enforcement responses have not adapted accordingly.
"The police themselves are at risk in certain areas. Since 5 August, the force has struggled to regain full operational efficiency. Moreover, coordination between senior officials and field-level officers remains inconsistent," he noted.
He also warned that organised crime groups are expanding, with major gang leaders recruiting young delinquents and consolidating their influence.
"The government must focus on dismantling these networks before they become entrenched," he urged.
Alarming Cases Highlighting the Crisis
Recent incidents paint a grim picture of Dhaka’s deteriorating security situation.
On Sunday night, 65-year-old auto-rickshaw driver Abdus Salam was brutally murdered in Aftabnagar’s China Project area.
His assailants not only stole his vehicle but also bludgeoned his head and stabbed him multiple times.
On 21 January, snatchers attacked City Money Exchange proprietor Kader Shikdar and his brother-in-law Amir Hamza near DNCC Market in Gulshan-2, fleeing with over Tk1.5 crore in foreign currency.
Two days later, jeweller Sajal Rajbangshi was shot in the leg while returning home in Kamrangirchar.
The attackers escaped with 50 tolas of gold ornaments and Tk3.5 lakh in cash.
These are merely a few among countless incidents reported in the past week alone.
With criminals becoming increasingly ruthless, Dhaka’s residents—especially those commuting at night or in the early hours—are living in fear.
As police intensify their crackdown, the question remains: will these measures be enough to restore a sense of security to the capital, or is Dhaka set to remain a city under siege?
