One year since uprising: Growing concerns over law and order situation

However, the dream of a democratic dawn that inspired millions now lies in deep disillusionment. Though a year has passed since the transfer of power, the country’s law and order situation remains fragile and deteriorating. Experts say crime and violence have reached alarming levels.

A Year of Rising Crime: Murders, Rapes, and Mob Violence

According to data from the police headquarters, between September 2024 and June 2025, there were 3,554 reported murders, 4,105 rape cases, 610 robberies, 12,726 incidents of violence against women and children, and 819 kidnapping cases nationwide. Particularly concerning is that there have been 479 cases filed for assaults on police personnel alone.

And the reality is even more dire. In the past year, at least 637 people, including 41 police officers, have died in incidents of mob violence across the country. Analysts warn that this rise in attacks on law enforcement reflects a growing crisis of state authority.

Attacks on Minorities: Blow to the Dream of an Inclusive State

Speaking to Views Bangladesh, Monindra Kumar Nath, Acting General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, said “We gave our lives for the dream of an inclusive, egalitarian state. But the reality is starkly different. In the past year alone, there have been at least 2,442 incidents targeting minority communities—59 murders, 192 temple attacks, 33 cases of rape, and 1,993 incidents of arson and vandalism against homes. None of these cases have seen proper justice.”

He added with frustration, “The head of government initially promised that Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians would all be part of one family. But minorities have had no role in the constitutional reforms or in the National Consensus Commission. Our voices are being ignored.”

Uprising Leaders Now Involved in Crime?

Criminologist Dr. Touhidul Haque, in an interview, said “The July uprising reflected the hopes of the people. But the government has failed to meet those expectations, creating space for criminal elements to thrive. Most disturbing is that several former leaders of the July movement are now directly involved in criminal activities. Some are even commercially exploiting the ideals of the uprising. The government has been unable—or unwilling—to act decisively against them.”

He further said that “Violence against women and children is on the rise. This is a symptom of a breakdown in social cohesion. Law enforcement agencies have taken a backseat, limiting themselves to issuing press statements rather than taking meaningful action.”

BadiulAlam Majumdar, Secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SHUJAN), echoed similar concerns “The level of violence in the country is truly alarming. Awami League leader Obaidul Quader once warned that without the party in power, hundreds of thousands would die. That scenario hasn’t unfolded, but the surge in violence is undeniable. Mob attacks, deteriorating law and order, and the rise in crime are realities we cannot afford to ignore.”