LAW and order in char lands of the River Padma spanning Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna and Kushtia has alarmingly declined, exposing the government’s inability at protecting some most remote yet vulnerable communities. At least seven people were killed in nine months in the chars while others have disappeared or became injured in attacks linked to disputes over sand extraction, the control of land, extortion and territorial dominance. Inhabitants say that armed groups openly patrol the waterways, spreading fear and restricting movement, particularly in the dark. The member parliament for the Rajshahi 6 constituency confirmed the continued armed violence and demanded a strong action. The crisis is best illustrated by the case of a char resident who was shot and abducted by armed people in May from in front of his father. More than a month later, the family could neither find him dead or alive. Despite a major anti-crime operation launched in November 2025 that led to the arrest of at least 72 people and the recovery of firearms, the relief proved short-lived as armed gangs soon resumed prowling the Padma chars.
The remoteness of the chars complicates policing, but recurring violence points to deep failures of law enforcement, inter-district coordination and the government’s capacity to maintain its authority on the frontier regions. The governance of chars has for long posed a challenge. Their remoteness, shifting administrative boundaries and difficult terrain often weaken the police’s presence, creating opportunities for disputes over newly emerged land, control of natural resources and informal taxation. Land ownership is frequently contested because the physical landscape changes faster than land records can be updated. Competition over sand mining, fisheries and grazing land has also become a major reason for conflict in many chars. Successive governments and development agencies have implemented programmes such as the Char Development and Settlement Project and various livelihood initiatives to improve infrastructure, housing, disaster resilience and access to services. While such interventions have produced measurable improvements in some regions, environmental vulnerability, poverty, weak state institutions and limited law-enforcement capacity continue to leave many char communities vulnerable to criminal activities and lawlessness. The police now plan to establish a permanent outpost in the Bagha char in Rajshahi and launch another joint operation, but such measures appear largely reactive, offering little assurance that they could dismantle the entrenched criminal networks that have repeatedly resurfaced after previous crackdowns.
Chars present a unique law-and-order challenge and demand a tailored strategy to combat violence. The government should recognise that simply increasing police presence and conducting periodic drives will not be enough to contain crime. It must instead develop a dedicated security strategy for the chars and, if necessary, establish a specialised team with the involvement of local communities to ensure sustained law enforcement.
