DHAKA, Jan 13: As Bangladesh approaches its 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February, rising violence and targeted killings are fuelling fear among political parties, candidates and voters, according to local media reports.
Political rivalry, power struggles and personal disputes have contributed to a worsening security situation across the country.
Police headquarters data cited by the Dhaka Tribune show that between January and November last year, 3,509 people were killed nationwide.
Rights groups report a sharp rise in political violence. The Dhaka-based organisation Ain o Salish Kendra recorded 102 deaths linked to political violence last year, more than double the 45 reported in 2023.
Another group, the Human Rights Support Society, documented 123 such deaths, up from 96 the previous year.
Security concerns intensified following the killing of radical Islamist leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who had announced plans to run as an independent candidate in the Dhaka-8 constituency.
Reports say political leaders and influential figures have since hired gunmen for protection.
In response, Bangladesh’s interim government launched the second phase of “Operation Devil Hunt” on December 13, aiming to curb subversive activities involving illegal firearms ahead of the election.
Police said that in the first 24 days of the operation, authorities arrested 15,009 people and recovered 218 firearms.
Despite the crackdown, violence has continued. On January 7, Azizur Rahman Mosabbir, a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s voluntary wing in Dhaka North, was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants in the Karwan Bazar area of the capital.
Political leaders have voiced alarm over security. Saiful Haque, a BNP-backed candidate, said the recent killings have left candidates and voters fearful, warning that the law and order situation must improve to ensure a fair election.
Police Inspector General Baharul Alam acknowledged the challenges of preventing targeted violence, saying security forces are working to suppress crime as the operation continues.
Bangladesh has seen a steady deterioration in law and order since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took power. (IANS)
