The story of Attorney General’s complacency and a dead town

Opinion

The law and order situation in Bangladesh under the interim government is becoming increasingly unstable, which is a serious threat to the country’s social and political infrastructure. The rate of crimes such as mob lynching, murder, rape and floating bodies in rivers has increased unprecedentedly in the first half of 2025. In this context, Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman’s statement that “not a single disappearance has occurred in the past year” is not only negative, but also a symbol of disconnection from the people. This statement denies the existence of state crimes such as disappearances, but the current anarchy—such as mob killings, rapes and the number of unidentified bodies—is not a lesser crime, but an indicator of the deep instability of society. This statement reveals the irresponsibility of the state and ignores its failure to ensure the safety of the people.

First, mob lynching incidents have reached a horrific level in the past year (2024-2025). According to a report by the Ain O Salish Kendra (ASKR), 128 people were killed in mob violence in 2024, more than double the number of the previous year. A report by the Canada-based Global Center for Democratic Governance said that 637 people were killed in mob lynchings from August 2024 to July 2025, including 41 police officers. These killings are often due to theft, religious grievances or political affiliations, and target minority communities, especially the Hindu community. These killings are not less than disappearances; rather, they are clear acts of violence, which prove the incompetence of the state. The Attorney General’s statement shows blindness to these killings, which is increasing discontent among the people.

Secondly, the number of bodies dumped in rivers is showing a worrying trend, revealing the depth of the crime. According to River Police data, an average of 43 bodies were recovered per month in 2025, of which 30% were unidentified. In 2024, this number was 36 per month. Many of these bodies are the result of murders, with criminals using the river as a dumping ground. This is as horrific as disappearances, as it leaves families unable to find their loved ones and justice is not served. The Attorney General’s declaration that “not a single one has disappeared” refuses to link these unidentified bodies, which exposes the state’s lack of investigation. This situation has created a climate of fear in society and has proven the weakness of law and order.

Third, rape is an epidemic. According to ASKR, 306 cases of rape of girls were reported in the first seven months of 2025, which is more than the number of cases reported in the entire year 2024 (234). According to UNICEF, 50 cases of child rape were reported from January to March 2025. In addition, more than 4,200 cases of rape and sexual assault were recorded in 2024, of which 650 were gang rapes. The Achia rape-murder incident (a horrific incident in 2024, where a child was raped and killed) has shaken the nation and exposed the moral decay of society. These crimes are no less serious than disappearances; rather, they are physically and psychologically horrific, and the state’s incompetence is encouraging this violence. The Attorney General’s complacency is unusual in the face of this situation, which reveals a disregard for the safety of women and children.

Overall, the law and order situation in Bangladesh is set to deteriorate in 2025. Home Affairs Advisor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury admitted that the situation has “worsened slightly,” but the Attorney General’s statement belies this admission. Crimes like mob killings, dumping of bodies in rivers, and rape are no less serious than disappearances; they are the result of deep social unrest and state failure. The Attorney General’s complacency ignores the public’s fears and frustrations, which are undermining the government’s credibility. This statement is not only untrue, but also a symbol of state irresponsibility, which demands urgent reforms. The government must immediately take initiatives to reform the police, speedy trial, and raise public awareness, otherwise this anarchy will push the country into a deeper crisis.

– Mrinmoy Sen