At a press briefing held in front of Novo Theater in the capital's Bijoy Sarani area, Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan said the government is actively working to bring the law and order situation under control. He expressed optimism that the panic created among the people about robberies and crime will soon be dispelled.
The briefing, held at 1:45 am on Tuesday (February 25), was attended by the advisor, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor Md. Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, and top officials of the Bangladesh Army, RAB, and police.
Asif Mahmud said in the briefing, "Special surveillance has been increased in areas where robberies are more common. Law enforcement agencies are already working to identify and arrest the criminals."
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali said that a total of 65 check posts have been set up in different areas of Dhaka city to strengthen security. A massive operation is underway against identified criminals.
He added, "Crime has always been there, but these incidents are being publicized more these days. People are making videos instead of preventing crime, which is emboldening criminals. I call for collective resistance."
Clarifying the government's position, the local government advisor said, "Any attempt to deteriorate the law and order situation in the country will be strictly suppressed. Although major crimes have decreased, minor crimes like robbery are increasing, which the government is watching with seriousness. The situation will improve very soon."
It is worth noting that earlier, Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury had said at a press conference, "Measures have been taken to ensure that no crime occurs anywhere from Monday. If the law enforcement agencies fail to implement this order, action will be taken against them as well."
Amidst the law enforcement agencies' activities, several suspected robbers were lynched in Uttara and Tongi on Tuesday night. A video of two men hanging upside down from an overbridge in Uttara has gone viral on social media.
Concerned circles are hopeful that the government will take effective steps to curb crime as soon as possible.
