The rising number of grisly murders across Bangladesh is indeed creating a growing sense of fear and insecurity among citizens. In the first four months this year, 1,142 murder cases have been filed nationwide—up from 1,017 during the same period last year. Many of these cases involved shocking levels of brutality. Another horrifying aspect is the number of children who have been victims of these crimes. Incidents ranging from gang-style killings to murders committed by family members, neighbours or acquaintances paint a distressing picture, raising an unavoidable question: why are such gruesome crimes becoming increasingly common, making people feel unsafe in their own communities?
According to Ain o Salish Kendra, at least 115 children were killed in the first four months of 2026. The recent murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in Dhaka’s Pallabi area has shaken the nation. Preliminary investigations suggest she was raped and murdered by a neighbour before her beheaded body was found. The incident has left many parents questioning whether children are safe even within their own neighbourhoods. Reports of entire families being killed, bodies being dismembered, and mob attacks—which claimed at least 71 lives in January-April 2026—reveal how deeply violence has seeped into everyday life. Recent attacks on law enforcers also raise concerns over declining public trust in law enforcement agencies.
While weak law enforcement and a prevailing culture of impunity have clearly emboldened the perpetrators, the current situation cannot be explained through the law-and-order lens alone. Experts point to political instability, economic inequality, weakening social bonds, and poor crime prevention measures as key drivers. They have also noted that our law enforcers largely respond after crimes occur, rather than prioritising preventive strategies. Effective policing requires stronger intelligence gathering, greater community engagement, closer monitoring of known offenders, and proactive interventions. Meanwhile, the involvement of family members and neighbours in many murders points to a wider deterioration in social values. Family conflicts, drug abuse, and intolerance are creating conditions where violence can thrive. Addressing these underlying causes will require long-term interventions that go beyond conventional law enforcement measures.
The government must investigate the recent crimes, particularly those against children, with urgency and bring the perpetrators to book. It must also take immediate steps to restore public confidence in law enforcement agencies through greater accountability and more effective policing. Beyond that, political actors, social organisations, communities, and citizens all have a responsibility to rebuild trust, strengthen social bonds, and reject the growing culture of violence. Without collective action, reversing the current trend will be difficult.
