Dhaka: As Bangladesh gears up for its forthcoming general elections, local outlets have noted a notable spike in criminal activity across the nation. Police insiders told the Bangladeshi news service UNB that violent, organized crime is not only on the rise but also growing in sophistication; some gangs allegedly take on police uniforms to carry out robberies and abductions. According to police headquarters figures, the number of killings climbed to 319 in October, up from 297 in September but just shy of the 321 reported in August. Theft incidents also edged higher, with 931 reported in October against 888 in September and 956 in August. Burglary cases reached 301, slightly above the 295 of September and 311 seen in August, while robberies rose to 180 from 169. Kidnappings jumped to 110 in October, up from 96 the previous month and 90 in August, underscoring that crime is affecting both city and countryside alike. Women and children continue to suffer disproportionately, with 1,985 incidents logged in October—nearly the same as the 1,904 recorded in September and August. Amid these trends, police officials point to massive preparations for the upcoming polls. “A total of 150,000 police personnel are being trained in phases. Training for around 50,000 members has already been completed. The rest will finish on schedule,” UNB quoted a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) official. Meanwhile, the Awami League has accused the 14‑month Muhammad Yunus interim government of a staggering 4,177 registered murder cases, with bodies often discovered in drains, rivers, and on streets nationwide. “Fifteen months have passed under ‘usurper’ Yunus. In the 14 months of this illegitimate government’s rule, Dhaka alone has seen 456 recorded murders, according to DMP itself. From last September to this October, DMP registered an average of 33 murder cases per month. Nationwide, 4,177 murder cases were filed. And this is only the number of cases. There are many more killings that never became cases,” the party posted on X. “Human rights groups say 216 people were beaten to death across the country during this period. Police say crime has risen partly because 25 per cent of the looted weapons from August 5, including deadly ones, are still missing. After coming to power, Yunus released top criminals, and the police can’t control them,” the comment added.
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