In a bid to reassert control over law and order, the government has resolved to implement stringent measures against disruptive activities, including road blockades, public unrest, attacks on law enforcement, and incidents of theft and robbery.
Law enforcement agencies, including the police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), have already taken preliminary steps in this regard.
Against this backdrop, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued a public notice on Thursday (13 March) banning all forms of public gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations in and around the secretariat, the chief adviser’s official residence at Jamuna, and adjacent areas.
The directive, effective immediately, prohibits assemblies at key intersections such as Hotel Intercontinental, Shahbagh, Kakrail, and Minto Road until further notice.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam, speaking at an event in Gazipur attended by the industrial police, issued a stern warning.
He emphasised that any attempt to obstruct roads under the guise of protests would be met with uncompromising action.
Previously, on 9 March, following a high-level ‘core meeting’ on law enforcement at the secretariat, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury had categorically stated that any attack on security personnel would not be tolerated and would be dealt with resolutely.
According to police headquarters, over 230 attacks on police personnel have been reported since 5 August, with approximately 70 incidents gaining significant attention.
Recent occurrences include an attempted assault on police officers during a procession by the banned outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir last Friday.
The police responded with decisive action, supported by the military in maintaining order.
Similarly, on Tuesday, demonstrators protesting against sexual violence clashed with the police at Shahbagh, prompting a forceful response.
Sources indicate that a pattern of escalating attacks on police officers, frequent road blockades in the name of protests, and a surge in criminal activities such as snatch-and-run robberies have necessitated a firm response.
Senior police officials have instructed field officers to adopt a stance of unwavering strictness in dealing with such incidents.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Headquarters, Inamul Haque Sagar, underscored the legal basis for this approach, stating, “The law clearly stipulates that obstructing police duties or attacking law enforcement personnel is a punishable offence. Stringent legal action will be taken against offenders, and such measures are already underway.”
Former IGP Nur Mohammad, commenting on the situation, observed that the police force has been struggling to recover from the setbacks suffered since 5 August.
“The police have been demoralised by the recent challenges, facing continuous physical and psychological harassment. To restore order, a visible show of force is imperative. If law enforcement exercises unyielding action, it will send a clear message to offenders that such disruptions will no longer be tolerated.”
An analysis of recent incidents reveals a concerning trend of brazen assaults on law enforcement.
On 6 March in Pakundia, Kishoreganj, individuals forcefully rescued a suspect, Nazmul Alam Munna, affiliated with a banned organisation, from police custody.
Similarly, on 4 March in Bhola’s Borhanuddin upazila, an arrestee named Md Akbar Hossain was snatched from police officers by his relatives, injuring an assistant sub-inspector in the process.
Other attacks include a mob assault on Sub-Inspector Yusuf Ali at a Chittagong checkpost on 28 February and an armed attack on police by drug traffickers in Tejgaon on 26 February.
Security experts are urging immediate action.
Associate Professor Dr Towhidul Haque of Dhaka University’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research stated, “The police must reassert control. Enough time has passed; now is the moment for resolute action. The force must adopt the necessary measures to combat mob violence, crime, and lawlessness with an iron hand.”
Enhanced security measures in Dhaka
To fortify public security, DMP has initiated an extensive night-time operation across the capital.
On Wednesday night alone, 667 patrol teams and 71 checkpoints were deployed across Dhaka, leading to the arrest of 235 individuals on various charges, including seven robbers, 13 professional snatchers, three extortionists, 12 thieves, 23 drug dealers, and 37 individuals with outstanding warrants.
The previous night, similar operations resulted in 197 arrests.
Field officers acknowledge that police personnel are frequently subjected to assaults while on duty.
Officers-in-charge (OCs) of multiple police stations in Dhaka have reported facing increasing hostility and defiance.
Law enforcement authorities have issued an unambiguous directive—any attack on police officers, irrespective of the perpetrator’s identity, will be met with firm action without exception.
As the government and security forces move towards enforcing stricter measures, the unfolding scenario signals a definitive shift in the state's approach to law enforcement, with an emphasis on decisive, immediate, and unyielding responses to disorder and criminality.
