Bangladesh Faces Unrest and Fear as Interim Government Takes Office Amid Robbery Fears
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/8th August 2024
In recent days, Bangladesh has been gripped by a wave of unrest and insecurity, as residents across the country spent a restless night guarding their streets against potential robbers and looters. This surge in fear and vigilance comes amid significant political upheaval, with the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus set to lead a new interim government following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The political crisis began earlier this week when Hasina was forced to resign due to escalating protests and violence. The situation has been further complicated by the dissolution of parliament by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who appointed Yunus to head the interim government. The swearing-in ceremony for Yunus and his administration is scheduled for Thursday evening, but the ongoing turmoil has left many residents in a state of alarm.
Since Hasina’s departure, security concerns have intensified. Police forces have been largely absent from the streets, citing safety fears due to recent violent attacks on law enforcement personnel. This absence has created a vacuum that criminals have exploited, leading to a spate of robberies and looting in various neighborhoods.
On Wednesday night, numerous residents from across Dhaka, particularly in areas such as Uttara and Mohammadpur, organized themselves into neighborhood watch groups. Armed with sticks and makeshift weapons, they patrolled their streets to protect their homes from potential attackers. The atmosphere was tense, with many people unable to sleep due to the constant threat of crime.
Nazvi Islam, a part-time teacher and resident of Mohammadpur, reported that the area had been terrorized by robbers the previous night. Local mosques had broadcasted warnings, urging residents to stay vigilant. In response, groups of local students and residents formed ad hoc security teams to guard public properties and government buildings, reflecting the community’s determination to protect their neighborhoods.
Residents in other parts of Dhaka, such as Mirpur-14 and Naboday Housing, also reported heightened fears. Abir Hossain, a local resident, described the panic that ensued when rumors spread about a robbery in their complex. Zakirul Islam of Chanmia Housing mentioned that despite having guards stationed at the gates, the fear of a break-in kept many awake throughout the night.
Social media has played a significant role in documenting the unrest. Numerous Facebook users shared live videos and posts showing robbers attacking various locations, including the ECB Chattar area near Mirpur cantonment. The widespread visibility of these incidents has only added to the growing concern about public safety.
Adding to the crisis, many ATMs and bank branches across the city have run low on cash, exacerbating the financial strain on residents. The disruption in cash supply is attributed to halted services from security companies responsible for transporting money. Mohammad Ali, Managing Director of Pubali Bank, confirmed that while the banking sector itself is not facing a cash shortage, the inability to replenish ATMs and branches has caused significant inconvenience.
Amidst this chaos, political parties are working to finalize the composition of Yunus’s interim cabinet. The anti-discrimination student movement has proposed a list of candidates for the cabinet, which will be discussed and finalized after Yunus’s return on Thursday. This effort reflects ongoing attempts to stabilize the political situation even as the country grapples with security challenges and public unrest.
