Law enforcement agencies cannot escape responsibility for mob violence

In psychology, mob violence is defined as an act where an individual loses their personal sense of judgment and is driven by collective psychology, taking responsibility for judgment based on collective opinion and creating violence. Post-revolutionary Bangladesh has been witnessing horrific mob violence. While some instances of it have been seen before, it is increasingly becoming more extreme.

On Thursday (March 6), news reports revealed that at least 114 incidents of mob beatings occurred during the seven months of the interim government, leading to 119 deaths and 74 injuries. In the past 10 years, at least 792 people have died from mob beatings, and 765 have been injured. These figures were provided by the human rights organization Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

HRSS has stated that incidents of killing and abuse through mob violence have been on the rise recently. Mob beatings have occurred on suspicion of being thieves, robbers and hijackers. Additionally, mob violence has also occurred due to allegations of religious offenses and child kidnapping. Even though cases are filed at the police stations in relation to mob violence, there have been very few instances of proper investigation and punishment for the perpetrators. Since the individuals involved in these incidents have not been brought under the law, such events continue to happen.

The cause of the rise in mob violence is often attributed to the erosion of a country's cultural values. However, mob violence tends to increase when law and order deteriorate. Experts and relevant authorities attribute the recent rise in mob violence in the country to the slackness and inactivity of the police after the fall of the government during the public movement, which has allowed many to take the law into their own hands. The emerging tendency for immediate 'punishment' in society has caused growing concern. While the interim government has expressed concern about the matter, mob violence has not stopped.

According to experts, the government's efforts regarding mob trials should be made more visible. Despite the presence of joint forces, incidents like these are happening, and the experts suggest identifying those involved and taking swift legal action. Reports indicate that such incidents are occurring regularly. For example, last Tuesday, in the Bashundhara residential area, a mob formed and severely beat up three people, including two Iranian nationals, on suspicion of being robbers.

Later on the same Tuesday night, a mob entered the former MP Tanveer Imam's ex-wife's house in Gulshan and, under the guise of searching, vandalized property and looted the house. The day before, on Monday, two people named Nezam Uddin and Abu Salek were killed in a mob beating in Satkania, Chattogram, over looting and territorial disputes. On the same day, an autorickshaw driver named Riton Mia was killed by cutting the veins of this hands and feet in a brawl over giving way to a passenger bus in Gazipur. Last Sunday, a brutal mob attack took place on a person named Shahjahan Minty from the South Aichar area of Charfasson, Bhola, who was beaten by 40-50 people, with his eyes gouged out using scissors.

None of these incidents reflect a healthy society. These events have not only created fear in the public but have also severely tarnished our international image. As a result, foreigners may be afraid to visit our country, and it will become difficult for our citizens to travel abroad. Law enforcement agencies cannot avoid responsibility for these incidents. The question arises as to why the interim government has failed to maintain law and order. We demand that the government take urgent measures to stop mob violence. We want that, according to the law, any criminal arrested should be handed over to the police. In cases of mob beatings leading to death, all individuals involved should be equally held responsible. No one should be considered guilty until proven so. According to international law, torture, cruelty, and inhuman treatment against anyone are prohibited. Therefore, law enforcement agencies cannot avoid responsibility for mob violence. Immediate legal action must be taken against those involved in mob violence.