Murders increased during Yunus’s government: Record of highest murders in a year broken

Staff Correspondent

The number of murders in the country has increased dramatically since the interim government took power on August 8, 2024.

An analysis of the police headquarters’ crime statistics shows that the highest number of murder cases were registered in 2024 in the last 5 years. Extrajudicial killings were more common during this time. Mob murders and torture were announced. Although the number of murders decreased continuously in the last 5 years during the Awami League government, murders have increased since the Yunus government took office.

According to those concerned, although there was hope for an improvement in the law and order situation after the change of government, in reality the common people are not safe now. News of regular killings at home and abroad is terrifying people. According to common citizens, ensuring security is the fundamental responsibility of the state, regardless of the government. But the government has failed to provide security to the people. On the contrary, there are allegations that some quarters of the government have supported these killings.

According to police data, 3,214 murder cases were registered across the country in 2021. In 2022, it decreased slightly to 3,126. In 2023, it decreased further to 3,023, but suddenly increased to 3,432 in 2024. This is the highest in the last five years.

After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, 1,573 murder cases were registered in the remaining five months of that year (August 5 to December 31). In August alone, 626 cases were registered.

Despite repeated assurances of improvement in the law and order situation after the interim government took office on August 8, 2024, the reality over the past year and a half has remained alarming. Incidents of open shootings, stabbings, hegemony, and planned killings are occurring everywhere in cities and villages.

According to experts, the psychological stress and uncertainty that has built up among law enforcement agencies, including the police, after August 5th has not yet completely subsided. Criminal groups have become more active in this situation. The weakening of illegal weapons recovery operations and the resurgence of old and new criminal groups taking advantage of the political change are also seen as one of the reasons for the increase in murders.

Noor Khan, a member of the Commission on Enforced Disappearances and a human rights activist, said, “The lack of an effective and visible role of law enforcement in controlling the current killings and violence is clear. Without strict and swift action, it will be difficult to handle the situation. He also expressed fears that violence will increase further in the run-up to the national elections.”

Dr. Md. Touhidul Haque, associate professor and criminologist at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University, said that the weak implementation of the law in serious crimes, including murder, has created a mentality of impunity among criminals. Murders are increasing due to political rivalry, dominance, extortion and old enmity around the elections.

However, he believes that the situation can only improve if those involved, regardless of their political affiliation, are brought to justice.