When Maydul Hassan was first mugged, he thought it was an isolated misfortune. But within a week, the 21-year-old student found himself robbed again—this time right in front of police officers who, according to him, stood by and did nothing.
Hassan, who had actively participated in last year’s student-led uprising that led to the removal of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now questions the fate of the nation he fought for. “This is what I get in return?” he lamented. “Crime is everywhere, and no one seems to care.”
On February 13, as he made his way home from his part-time tech job in Mirpur, a gang ambushed him, stealing his Pixel 4XL phone, wallet, university ID, and headphones. Merely days later, on February 18, he was assaulted again. This time, his newly purchased Google Pixel 7 was snatched by attackers who mocked his pleas for mercy.
Despite police officers being stationed only meters away, they reportedly did nothing. “I begged them for help, and all they did was watch,” Hassan said.
When he attempted to report the crime at a local station, a man claiming to be from Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), intervened. Promising to retrieve Hassan’s phone, the man escorted him outside—only to demand money. Desperate, Hassan withdrew 3,500 Bangladeshi taka ($29) from an ATM and handed it over, soon realizing he had been deceived. The man, Hassan later discovered, was a former member of Hasina’s Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), highlighting the opportunistic shifting of political loyalties.
Hassan ultimately filed a complaint online, but no meaningful action followed. His viral Facebook post captured the growing disillusionment: “Criminals roam free, police do nothing, and victims are harassed even inside police stations.”
A Surge in Crime Amid Political Uncertainty
Hassan’s experience is not unique. Since Sheikh Hasina’s removal, crime rates in Bangladesh have reached alarming levels. In January 2025 alone, the country recorded 242 mugging incidents—the highest in six years. Murders surged from 231 in January 2024 to 294 in 2025. Robberies and abductions have also seen sharp increases, leaving citizens fearful of even stepping outside.
“The numbers are frightening,” said Najmus Sakib, a criminology professor at Dhaka University. “People fought for democracy, but now they’re afraid to walk the streets. It raises serious concerns about law enforcement.”
Despite growing unrest, retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, head of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs, insists the government is taking appropriate action. Speaking at an emergency news conference on February 24, he reassured the public: “Our law enforcement efforts have significantly increased.”
The Human Cost of Lawlessness
The rising crime wave has already resulted in tragic incidents. On February 20, six armed men on motorcycles attempted to rob Anwar Hossain, a jeweler carrying $232,000 worth of gold. When he resisted, they shot him in both legs before fleeing. Viral footage of the attack ignited widespread outrage, with demonstrators demanding Chowdhury’s resignation.
“There has always been crime, but this level of violence is unprecedented,” said Rahmat Ullah, a rickshaw driver who has witnessed multiple attacks on his passengers. He now sends his earnings home daily via mobile financial services, fearing physical cash could make him a target.
Despite mounting evidence of deteriorating safety, government officials remain reluctant to acknowledge the crisis. Law Minister Asif Nazrul admitted to shortcomings but insisted that the interim administration under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was working tirelessly to restore order.
However, for ordinary Bangladeshis, such reassurances fall flat. Women, in particular, feel increasingly vulnerable. “My parents panic every time I leave the house,” said Eti Akter, a student activist. “We just want to go about our daily lives without the constant fear of being robbed or worse.”
The unrest has triggered protests across university campuses, especially in response to a wave of reported sexual assaults. At least 10 rape cases were independently verified by Al Jazeera, sparking student demands for the Home Affairs adviser’s resignation. Many private university students are now calling for online classes during Ramadan, citing safety concerns.
A Government Struggling for Control
In response to the escalating violence, the government launched Operation Devil Hunt on February 8, a joint military-police crackdown. More than 9,000 arrests have been made so far, yet crime remains rampant.
“Unlike an elected government, this interim administration lacks a unified command structure,” said political analyst Mubashar Hasan. “While they intend to curb crime, their capacity to do so is limited.”
Between February 24-25, authorities arrested 248 suspected criminals in Dhaka. Yet, for many, the arrests mean little. “What good are arrests if we still don’t feel safe?” Hassan remarked.
Desperate communities have taken security into their own hands, forming vigilante groups armed with sticks and batons. Some have resorted to extreme measures—on February 25, an angry mob publicly lynched two suspected muggers in Dhaka, tying them upside down from a footbridge. Another alleged criminal was beaten to death the same night.
“This is what happens when law enforcement loses public trust,” warned Tawohidul Haque, a crime expert at Dhaka University. In January alone, 16 people died in mob justice incidents, highlighting the growing breakdown of order.
Experts attribute the crime surge to the power vacuum created by Hasina’s ouster. “Sudden political shifts create instability,” said criminology professor Sakib. “Criminals thrive in environments where law enforcement is weakened.”
The Bangladesh Police, still recovering from their controversial role in suppressing anti-Hasina protests, now struggle to regain credibility. “During the uprising, they were seen as oppressors. Now, people no longer trust them to protect them,” Sakib explained.
As the crisis deepens, citizens are left wondering: Is this the democracy they fought for?
