Severe Deterioration of Law and Order and Government Unease The country's current law and order situation is passing through an unprecedented and severely critical phase. Ordinary citizens have grown exhausted by the unprecedented surge in murders, extortion, forced land grabs, and mob terror. Such anarchy during the first seven months in office of the political party that returned to power after 17 years has also placed the government in an embarrassing position. Intelligence reports have issued clear warnings that if this instability is not suppressed with a heavy hand, the government will soon face an even larger national crisis.

Distrust in the Police and Helplessness at the Ground Level

Although the police administration has been deployed to control the situation, they are repeatedly falling victim to mob terror and attacks. A recent example is the attack on police and city corporation officials during an eviction drive on the footpaths at the Mirpur-10 roundabout in the capital, where two vehicles were torched and police personnel were injured. In particular, the top echelons of the government have suffered a severe blow to their trust in the force due to leaked controversial audio clips of police officers and allegations of political affiliations. Although the police headquarters has issued directives to update the information of officers holding the rank of inspector, it does not seem sufficient to cover the overall vacuum.

Dual Thoughts on Joint Operations and Magistracy Powers

Since it is no longer possible to handle the situation using only the police, the government is now contemplating strict alternatives. One faction wants to launch a crackdown similar to the 2002 "Operation Clean Heart." Another faction favors deploying the armed forces to the field with magistracy powers, akin to the previous interim government. Policy-makers primarily want to keep the army deployed on the ground for three months to bring the situation under complete control.

Behind the Army's Objections and the Urgent Durbar at the Army Headquarters

Apprehensive of past bitter experiences and human rights violations, the army is reluctant to directly entangle itself in such operations alongside civil administration. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has repeatedly made it clear that the primary duty of the army is to protect borders and manage battlefields. Despite this, an emergency durbar was called at the army headquarters on October 1 to determine the course of action in the wake of the emerging situation, which led to the cancellation of the army chief's pre-scheduled visit to the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Various aspects of the current crisis were intensely discussed in a meeting between the top circles of the government and the chiefs of the three services.

Why should the responsibility of internal law and order be repeatedly handed over to the armed forces during the tenure of a normal, democratic government—this question has now become loud and clear. Instead of long-term political solutions to curb mob terror and crime, the repeated reliance on military power is steering the state in an uncertain direction, which remains the single biggest concern.

Author: Dr. Abul Hasnat Milton, Journalist, Political Analyst, and Editor-in-Chief, The Source News Bangla