Bangladesh is teetering on the edge of a law and order collapse, and the recent violence and social unrest only point to a serious breakdown of public order in the country. Although the interim government has launched Operation Devil Hunt, the difference between now and just a few months ago under the Sheikh Hasina government is striking.
During Sheikh Hasina’s rule, security forces were visible, responses were swift, and although criticisms existed, the state maintained a strong grip on public order. Today, under the constitutionally illegal interim regime, that grip appears to be slipping fast, and the consequences are being felt by everyday citizens across the country.
For activists, human rights defenders, and concerned citizens, this is more than a security issue—it is a national emergency demanding immediate attention.
But the real question is:
Can Bangladesh survive this storm of insecurity, impunity, and fear? Who is to blame for this lawlessness crisis?
Unrest Without Borders: How Local Flashpoints Reflect National Collapse
As the constitutionally illegal interim government fails to maintain control, a series of violent incidents across the country has exposed just how fragile the law and order situation has become. These are not isolated events—they reflect a systemic failure to maintain a firm grip over the regulatory in the country.
Chilmari-Sundarganj Clash – When Villages Turned into Battlefields
What began as a peaceful Eid holiday turned into a violent village clash in Chilmari in Kurigram and Sundarganj in Gaibandha that exposed the fragile state of law and order in Bangladesh.
It all started when a mother and daughter were harassed by a group of teenagers while visiting the Teesta Bridge. That single incident triggered a full-blown clash involving over a hundred villagers armed with sticks and homemade weapons, rallied by loudspeakers.
While there is a police force, the army had to step in just to restore order.
No arrests. No accountability. No justice.
Despite the injuries, despite the chaos, no one has been held responsible.
Madaripur (Rajoir) – Firecrackers Spark Violent Village Clash
What began as a minor Eid dispute over firecrackers quickly spiraled into a violent clash between Badarpasha and West Rajoir villagers. A verbal argument escalated after a villager was severely beaten, prompting a police case that further fueled tensions.
On the night of April 12, villagers armed with sticks and bricks clashed at Byapari Para Mor, injuring at least 25 people, including two Officers-in-Charge and 10+ police personnel. The violence lasted for hours before police and military forces intervened to restore order.
This incident, triggered by something as trivial as fireworks, highlights the dangerous fragility of community relations under the interim government. Under Sheikh Hasina, such disputes rarely escalated unchecked.
Today, the absence of timely intervention allows small issues to turn into major threats to public safety.
Thakurgaon (Haripur) – Land Dispute Defies 144 Order, Sparks Armed Clash
Despite a Section 144 ban on public gatherings, two groups in Atghoria village, Haripur, clashed again on April 12, with bows, arrows, and crude bombs. The violence stems from a long-standing land dispute between locals and has pushed the area into a state of fear and lawlessness.
This wasn’t the first outbreak. A day earlier, a major fight left over 100 injured, with 40 homes torched, and cash and gold looted. Even after the local administration imposed emergency orders, the opposing sides regrouped and resumed their attack, blatantly defying government restrictions.
Eyewitnesses report horrific scenes: families held at knifepoint, homes burned, and armed men looting in broad daylight. Victims say attackers came with firearms, setting his house ablaze and stealing valuables.
Authorities have since deployed forces from Haripur, Ranisankail, and Baliadangi police stations to stabilize the area. Still, tensions remain dangerously high.
This violent disregard for official authority raises serious concerns. Now, people are left to wonder: Who will protect them when the system fails to respond, even after emergency laws are in place?
Brahmanbaria (Sarail) – One Death, and a Village on the Run
Then there’s what happened in Terkanda, Sarail, Brahmanbaria. After a villager died from injuries he got during a previous clash, fear gripped the entire community. Even before his death was confirmed, rumors spread like wildfire, and people panicked.
By nightfall, families had packed up whatever they could—cattle, food, furniture—and left the village. The next day, there were reports of looting, arson, and attacks on abandoned homes.
How does a village go from peace to destruction overnight? The answer lies in the lack of trust. People didn’t wait for help because they didn’t expect any. That’s the reality we’re facing now.
Shariatpur (Jajira) – Crude Bomb Clash Over Local Dominance Injures 15
A violent confrontation broke out in Kaziarchar, Jajira Upazila, leaving at least 15 people injured after over 100 crude bombs were detonated. The clash stemmed from an ongoing dispute between two local groups vying for territorial dominance.
This wasn’t the first outbreak. Tensions have long simmered in the area, and the latest eruption has left residents terrified. One victim lost a hand, and several others sustained critical injuries, with two transferred to Dhaka for advanced care.
Security forces failed to control the situation, allowing the violence to escalate and spread panic throughout the area.
A Nation at a Crossroads: The Urgent Need for Stability and Reform in Bangladesh
These are more than just local disputes—they are a snapshot of a bigger problem. Under the current constitutionally illegal interim government, security and order in Bangladesh are in free fall. They promised to restore order, but instead, they launched Operation Devil Hunt, arresting thousands for political reasons while letting real violence fester. They’re chasing ghosts while the country bleeds.
And when authorities stand by as chaos unfolds, people are beginning to wonder: Is there any law and order in the country now? Were people safer during the last 15 years?
These are not just political questions—they are the fears of ordinary Bangladeshis who want to live without the constant threat of unrest on their doorstep.
