The Rising Tide of Violence in Bangladesh:
A Dire Consequence of Internal Conflicts and the Failing Law and Order under Dr. Yunus"s Government
The Rising Tide of Violence in Bangladesh: Failing Law and Order under Dr. Yunus's Government
Since the fall of the Awami League government in 2024, Bangladesh has witnessed a disturbing surge in political violence, particularly within the ranks of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In the past year and a half, many BNP leaders and activists have died violently. This growing violence has highlighted problems with law and order in Bangladesh. The police and law enforcement, led by Dr. Yunus, seem unable or unwilling to stop these killings. People question whether the Yunus government is behind this violence, with some critics saying it might be a plan to weaken the BNP, remove opponents and strengthen their own control.
The Bloodshed: A Growing Trend of Attacks on BNP Leaders
The violence against BNP leaders and activists is growing and very serious. Attacks include shootings and brutal beatings. For example, BNP candidate Ershad Ullah was critically shot during a campaign in Chattogram and had to be flown to Dhaka for treatment. Another brutal case was BNP leader Mohammad Babul Mia, who was beaten to death while working in Dhamrai, Dhaka. Inside the BNP, fights between groups have also become deadly, like the killing of Jubo Dal activist Mamun Bhuiyan in Narayanganj and BNP leader Kamrul Ahsan Sadhan’s shooting in Dhaka. These events show the dangerous political atmosphere and failure to keep leaders safe.
Photo Credit : @theweek.in
More killings have continued, such as BNP leader Harunur Rashid, who was shot six times during a morning walk in Dhaka. Police say it might be a local dispute, but it highlights the bigger problem of political violence. On October 07, 2025, BNP activist Abdul Hakim was killed in Chattogram over business conflicts. These violent acts seem part of a plan to weaken the BNP's influence. Sadly, innocent people like rickshaw-puller Golam Hossain have also died caught in political fights, showing how far the violence has spread.
Dr. Yunus's Government and the Lawlessness That Permits These Attacks
The increase in political violence is not just a coincidence but a clear sign that law and order have completely failed under Dr. Yunus's government. Instead of stopping the attacks on BNP leaders and activists, violence has grown worse during his time in power. This raises serious doubts about whether the government is deliberately allowing- or even encouraging - these killings to weaken the opposition and keep control.
Police actions have been slow and ineffective, with very few of the people responsible being punished. Arrests in some cases, like that of Abdul Hakim’s killers, haven’t led to real justice. Because the police answer to Yunus’s government, their failure to act strongly suggests the killings might be ignored or approved by those in power. Despite public calls for peace, the government has done little to stop the violence, treating deadly political attacks as simple internal conflicts and allowing them to continue unchecked as a way to suppress opposition.
The Role of Law Enforcement in the Rise of Political Violence
The police, who should protect law and order, have completely failed under the Yunus-led government. Instead of stopping violence against BNP leaders, the police have often ignored or even allowed it to happen. After brutal killings like that of BNP leader ASM Hayat Uddin in Bagerhat and Emdadul Haque in Khulna, the police have done little to catch the killers, causing pain and fear among BNP members and their families.
This lack of action shows that the police are not just failing but may be helping to pressure the BNP. The police’s silence and slow response make it seem like violence against the BNP is allowed or even supported by those in power. Yunus himself has remained silent while this bloodshed continues, showing a clear failure of leadership and law enforcement to protect political opponents or maintain peace.
A Grim Future: What Lies Ahead for Bangladesh?
With Bangladesh on the cusp of a general election, the question must be asked: what future does the country have if the political violence continues unchecked? The murder of BNP leaders and activists not only weakens the opposition but also undermines the democratic process by silencing dissent and stifling political competition. The Yunus-led government, by allowing this violence to persist, is risking the country’s stability and undermining the democratic principles it claims to uphold.
The failure to protect opposition leaders and to ensure that law enforcement acts impartially raises serious concerns about the direction in which Bangladesh is heading. If the violence continues to escalate, the country risks entering a period of profound political instability, where the rule of law is no longer guaranteed and political violence becomes an accepted part of the political landscape.
Conclusion: A Call for Justice and Accountability
The tragic killings of BNP leaders and activists expose the complete failure of law and order under Yunus’s government, which has allowed this violence to continue unchecked. Yunus must immediately stop this dirty politics of targeted killings, ensure swift justice for victims and hold the police accountable for their failure to protect political opponents and citizens. His silence and inaction are fueling the violence, threatening Bangladesh’s stability and democracy, and unless he acts decisively, this bloodshed will only worsen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related News and References:-
1 BNP candidate Ershad Ullah, injured in a shooting during an election campaign in Chattogram, was airlifted to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Two suspects arrested.
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/local-news/gv3q1l2fe9
2 BNP leader Mohammad Babul Mia was beaten to death in front of his wife while harvesting mustard in Dhamrai, Dhaka, on February 21, 2025.
3 A Jubo Dal activist, Mamun Bhuiyan, was shot dead during a factional clash in Narayanganj over the release of a Chhatra League leader. Mamun later died in the hospital.
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/local-news/br3kcjxm3n
4 A gunman killed Sarwar Hossain during a BNP campaign in Chattogram, shooting him in the neck at point-blank range. Ershad Ullah, the BNP candidate, was also injured. The attack is believed to be linked to territorial disputes between criminal factions. Police are investigating.
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/olhtm55e5l
5 BNP leader Kamrul Ahsan Sadhan was shot dead by masked assailants in Dhaka's Badda on May 25, 2025. While sitting at a tea stall, he was hit by multiple bullets. The attackers fled after firing blank shots. Police are investigating the incident.
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/bnp-leader-shot-dead-badda-1151716
6 BNP leader Harunur Rashid, 65, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Dohar, Dhaka, on July 2, 2025. The former Nayabari Union president was ambushed during his morning walk, suffering six bullet wounds. Police are investigating the motive, possibly linked to a local dispute.
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/wknr6i17vi
7 BNP activist Abdul Hakim was shot dead by hired killers in Chattogram on October 7, 2025, over disputes regarding local sand markets and dominance. Police arrested four suspects, recovering firearms and a motorcycle used in the crime. Investigations continue to identify additional suspects.
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/902d41bbb1f5
8 Six individuals, including an Awami League leader, were sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2020 murder of BNP leader Masud Rana in Narail. Eleven others received varying sentences, while 21 were acquitted. The murder occurred during an ambush involving firearms and weapons.
9 BNP activist Abul Hashem was hacked to death in Feni by attackers wearing burqas, allegedly due to a long-standing land dispute. A suspect, Mohammad Russell, was arrested, while others remain at large. The murder occurred during Hashem's commute, and investigations are ongoing.
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/5e1720cf999f
10 BNP leader ASM Hayat Uddin was hacked to death in Bagerhat by assailants on motorcycles while sitting at a tea stall. Police suspect a previous dispute may be the motive, but have not provided further details. Investigation is ongoing.
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/0c4de5e4d459
11 A BNP activist, Emdadul Haque, was killed in Khulna when a bullet intended for a local leader, Mamun Sheikh, struck him instead. The attack, which also injured two others, occurred near the Khulna BNP office, with assailants firing shots and setting off bombs before fleeing.
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/6a44152e6e00
12 Since the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024, internal clashes within the BNP have led to 43 deaths, primarily due to rival factions vying for power, control over local businesses, and political dominance. Despite warnings from leadership, these violent infightings continue, with over 2,000 injured and significant disciplinary actions taken against party members. This infighting, which includes deaths of leaders and activists, threatens the party's unity ahead of the upcoming general elections, with some leaders attributing the violence to personal rivalries rather than political motives.
Shrutikar Abhijit
South-East Asia, Indian Ocean Region, Geopolitics, North East, Diplomacy, Internal Security