Mob violence: no end in sight

Despite repeated assurances of tougher action and the interim government's zero-tolerance stance, incidents of mob violence show no sign of stopping.

Even warnings by security forces appear to have little deterrent effect. Within a week, mob attacks have taken place at a shrine and twice in the capital.

Experts have raised questions over law and order, as well as the interim government's ability and willingness to contain the menace.

In the latest incident, two men were beaten to death in separate attacks in the capital's Mohammadpur area yesterday. The deceased were identified as Sujan alias Babul, 17, an assistant to a sanitary mechanic, and Hanif Hawlader, 22, a helper of a transport vehicle.

Police claimed both were muggers and had four cases each filed against them. Their families, however, denied the allegations.

Sujan's elder brother, Md Sojib, told The Daily Star, "My brother used to spend time with his friends in the neighbourhood. He wasn't a mugger, and he worked as an assistant."

He alleged that Sujan and another youth were taken from Nabiganj Housing area around 4:00am, beaten by locals, including a security guard. The two later succumbed to their injuries.

Hanif's elder brother, Milon Hawlader, made similar allegations of his brother being taken from home along with a friend, chased by locals and brutally beaten. "Even if there were allegations [against Hanif], he should have been handed over to the police. Killing him in public like this is no justice."

Hanif's uncle, Harun, suggested personal enmity might also have played a role.

Kazi Rafique, officer-in-charge of Mohammadpur Police Station, said both victims had multiple mugging cases against them, and Hanif was seen in CCTV footage of a recent snatching at Chandrima Udyan. "Police responded to 999 calls and rescued the injured, but they died at hospital later," he said. No arrests have been made yet, though investigations are underway.

On September 8, Yamin, 23, was beaten to death by a mob in Mohammadpur on suspicion of mugging. On September 5, in Rajbari's Goalanda upazila, the darbar sharif of "Nural Pagla" was attacked, vandalised, and his body dug up and burnt. The incident left one person dead and at least 22 others injured.

Rights group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) recorded 124 deaths in mob beatings in the first seven months of this year, compared to 128 in the whole of last year. Dhaka alone accounted for 55 of the mob-related deaths this year and 57 last year.

"Whether political or non-political, once mobs get away with violence, it encourages repetition. That's exactly what is happening in Bangladesh now," said Towhidul Haque, associate professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Social Welfare and Research.

"When people see perpetrators going unpunished, they feel encouraged to take matters into their own hands. This culture of impunity is feeding more violence," he said, adding that weakness in law enforcement is a major factor.

"There's a perception that police fear retaliation when confronting politically or religiously motivated mobs. That hesitation emboldens unruly groups. If the state cannot protect its citizens and enforce law, people lose trust and resort to vigilante justice."

Haque warned that mob violence is no longer confined to one-off incidents but is becoming a systemic threat.

"It's not just about criminals being beaten. Sometimes ordinary disputes, rumours, or even accusations of political allegiance can trigger mob attacks. This reflects deep insecurity in society and a collapse in confidence in formal justice."

Supreme Court lawyer Manzil Morshed told The Daily Star, "It's as if a reset button has been pressed on the justice system. Those in power are taking justice into their own hands. The government must answer whether it's incapable or unwilling to control mob violence.

"If mob violence is not contained now, society will descend into instability and darkness. The only solution is to enforce the law strictly. Stronger punishments, even non-bailable provisions, may be necessary to deter participants."

About addressing mob violence, Col Shafiqul Islam, colonel staff at the Military Operations Directorate of Army Headquarters, on Monday said the army maintains "zero tolerance" towards mob violence and expressed hope that the number of such incidents would decline.

Briefing reporters at Dhaka Cantonment, he said the army always responds once requested. "The army is requested if police or other agencies fail to control a situation. By the time the request comes through and approval is obtained from headquarters, the situation may already have deteriorated."

Regarding the incidents, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury acknowledged a "slight deterioration" in the country's law and order following recent incidents. "The situation was good but based on the events of the last few days, I would say it has deteriorated slightly.

"We'll do our best to restore it to its previous state," he said at Rajarbagh Police Lines on September 7.