Gunfire, arson on buses in capital: What message does law and order situation convey

The law and order situation in the capital has become so dreadful that no one can say what might happen or from which direction. People step out of their homes carrying their lives in their hands. Passengers board buses in the morning, heading somewhere on urgent work, and suddenly, without warning, they are attacked, and the bus is shot at, set on fire – altogether a reign of terror by miscreants.

According to reports published in the media on Sunday (5 October), an incident occurred at around 7 am on Friday when a passenger bus of Alif Paribahan was shot at and set ablaze in Senpara, Mirpur, Dhaka. The driver told the media that when the bus reached Senpara, a few men signalled him to stop. After stopping, the miscreants beat up the driver and his assistant and forced them off the bus. Passengers, terrified, also rushed to get off. At that point, the attackers fired several rounds at the front glass of the bus and then set it on fire.

The bus authorities alleged that a man named Nesar had recently injured their staff over extortion demands. They claimed he was also involved in this incident. Police, after reaching the spot and rescuing the bus, said that the attack might have resulted from internal disputes within the company.

Whatever the reason, there is no scope to see this as a normal incident. The recent act of miscreants firing bullets and setting a bus ablaze on a busy road in the capital is not just a crime, it is a direct assault on public safety and the rule of law. At a time when ordinary people go out every day in search of their livelihood, such violence is creating a new terror in city life.

Law enforcement agencies say an operation is underway to trace those involved. But merely catching the criminals will not suffice; we must understand why such violent tendencies keep surfacing in society. Whether it is political vengeance, social intolerance, or economic frustration, the state must identify the root causes and take strict and effective measures.

Meanwhile, another horrific report came to light yesterday, that even the police were beaten by miscreants while trying to stop extortion. This means that fear now reigns not only in Dhaka but across the country. Security, justice, and accountability no longer exist in society. People are losing faith in the government.

It is the government’s responsibility to dispel public fear. The government must urgently improve the law and order situation. A gang stopping a bus in broad daylight and opening fire cannot in any way represent a civilised state. The government must immediately identify and bring the culprits to justice.