At noon in early February, a battery-powered rickshaw stood amidst a mass of vehicles at the Farmgate intersection in Dhaka's busiest sector, West Farmgate.
As the traffic signal turned green, the rickshaw, in a hurry to match the flow of other vehicles heading towards Karwan Bazar, attempted to dart off.
Despite the presence of traffic officers stationed at the signal, the rickshaw sped away undeterred, and it wasn't until the vehicle reached Karwan Bazar that a police sergeant attempted to stop it.
The situation escalated when the rickshaw’s passenger alighted, and as the police attempted to halt the vehicle, a scuffle ensued with the driver.
In the ensuing chaos, the rickshaw tipped over, but the police ultimately managed to restrain it.
Elsewhere in the city, on the VIP Nazrul Islam Avenue, pedestrians have been observed crossing roads recklessly, avoiding the overhead pedestrian bridge altogether.
Despite warnings from police officers, the general public continues to disregard the advice, illustrating a broader trend of defiance towards law enforcement that has emerged since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on 5 August 2024.
Experts argue that this reluctance to obey police instructions is symptomatic of the deep-seated mistrust that has been cultivated during Hasina’s 16-year tenure.
The divisive political environment, compounded by allegations of police being used as instruments to sustain the government’s power, led many citizens and opposition factions to view the police as mere pawns in a political game.
Analysts point out that the public’s discontent towards the police is compounded by a series of questionable actions during the previous regime.
Numerous political parties accused the police of propping up Hasina's government, with their role particularly scrutinised during three contested elections.
The police's active participation in suppressing opposition movements, including the recent anti-discrimination student protests, further tarnished their image.
The aftermath of the regime’s fall saw over 1,500 fatalities, thousands injured, and over 450 police stations and hundreds of police outposts targeted in attacks, including widespread arson and looting.
These acts of violence, which claimed the lives of 44 police officers, shattered the morale of the force.
Between 5 August and 5 February, over 150 protests erupted across Dhaka, many demanding justice for perceived inequities and discrimination.
While the police have made limited interventions, their efforts have been largely ineffective in curbing the rising tide of dissent and unrest.
Additionally, recent reports have highlighted a disturbing surge in criminal activities: from escapes of suspects from police vans to rampant extortion, theft, and even incidents involving organised gangs.
Despite efforts to rein in these criminal activities, police have struggled to make any substantial progress, prompting widespread public speculation that criminals no longer fear the force.
The reluctance to respect authority is increasingly apparent.
This shift in attitude towards law enforcement can be traced back to the collapse of the previous regime.
With the emergence of a new interim government, police are facing fresh challenges.
Their waning authority has emboldened criminals, as evidenced by recent incidents of gang violence, including attacks on police vehicles and brazen acts of theft and extortion.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam, reflecting on these challenges, told reporters, "Since the government’s fall, many police officers deserted their posts.
Consequently, the public’s perception is that these officers were the same ones who fled their duties during critical moments."
He continued, "The police force has yet to regain the trust of the people. In some cases, individuals have even suggested that we might need a completely new police force to restore order."
Adding to the tension, former IGP Abdul Kaiyum observed that during the previous government, the police were not able to serve the people effectively, leading to the current predicament.
He stated, "There is a severe lack of respect and trust in the police now. It is imperative for the police to restore discipline, but they cannot do so alone."
Dr Touhidul Haque, associate professor at the University of Dhaka's Institute of Social Welfare and Research, agreed, noting, "The police are not meeting the expectations of the people, leading to growing concerns about safety. This has created a gap in public trust, and people now feel that criminals hold more power than the police."
The rising threat of organised crime is undeniable, with notorious criminals such as Imon, Helal, and Rasu regaining their freedom following the collapse of the previous regime.
Since their release, there has been a marked increase in violent crimes and gang activities, particularly in Dhaka, where extortion and violent assaults have become more frequent.
Police efforts to apprehend these criminals have been largely unsuccessful, with gang members now emboldened to challenge police authority in brazen attacks.
Despite these mounting challenges, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Additional Commissioner for Crime and Operations, SN Mohammad Nazirul Islam, affirmed that the force remains committed to addressing crime and restoring order.
"Our efforts to bring criminals to justice are ongoing, but we are facing significant challenges. Maintaining law and order in Dhaka requires a coordinated effort," he said.
The police's struggle to regain control of the situation continues, as they battle not only rising crime but also a public that no longer fears them, challenging the very fabric of law and order in the city.
