Eminent citizens call for govt intervention to eliminate mob violence

It was around 8pm. The city was bustling as usual. Suddenly, a group of young men were seen dragging a teacher away and beating him. After some time, when the teacher asked for water, a bottle was handed to him. But instead of being allowed to drink, the water was poured over his head.

The incident occurred in Bogura city. The teacher was assaulted by a mob that had formed around him. Many bystanders witnessed the scene—some recorded videos while others remained silent onlookers. Leading the mob was Abdullah Al Sani, central organizer of the labor wing of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), accompanied by Nur Mohammad Zobayer, joint organizing secretary of the Bogura District Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The victim of this mob attack on May 5 was SM Millat, acting principal of Bogura Homeopathic College. He also served as president of the District Freedom Fighters’ Homeopathic Physicians’ Council and general secretary of the local branch of the Bangabandhu Council.

SM Millat was attacked at his own chamber in the Jaleshwari Tala area of the city. From there, he was forcefully dragged to the Detective Branch (DB) office, facing beatings along the way. In videos circulated on social media, Sani is seen holding a water bottle to Millat’s mouth before pouring it over his head.

Earlier, on April 14, a mob disrupted a public singing of the national anthem organized in the city. The office of the event’s host, the cultural group Udichi, was also attacked. That mob was led by Nur Mohammad Zobayer, joint convenor Rabbi, and organizer Sifat Ullah of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

On January 6, several political party offices were vandalized and set on fire, including the destruction of the historic Town Club. Many of the club’s old records, photos, furniture, and trophies were lost. The mob included leaders and activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with others.

On June 22, Abdul Matin Sarkar—a former ward councilor, Jubo League leader, and known criminal—was attacked by a mob while in police custody at the court premises. His brother-in-law, who had come to see him, was also beaten.

Interviews with at least 20 people in Bogura—including teachers and former public representatives—revealed a shared concern: mob violence is becoming a normalized tool for social control, posing a grave threat to the country. They argued that mobs must be dismantled immediately. Upon closer examination, they say, it's clear that the so-called ‘public’ participating in these attacks are often being used as instruments, while the real planners operate behind the scenes. In many cases, personal vendettas are the root cause of these mob actions.

Humayun Islam Tuhin, district secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN), called mob attacks a form of political strategy.

Delwar Nuri, president of the district chapter of the Socialist Women’s Forum and a practicing lawyer, noted that none of the mob violence incidents in Bogura—or elsewhere in the country—have seen justice. Even attacks on individuals in police custody inside court premises are going unpunished. This, she said, is evidence that these acts are happening with state sanction. The government has taken no meaningful steps to prevent such violence, making ordinary people increasingly vulnerable.

She stressed that if the government wanted, mob violence could be stopped. A firm stance by law enforcement, under government direction, is the only way to effectively curb this dangerous.