Written By

Pramode Mallik

Seven months after Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a popular movement against her government, Bangladesh has plunged into chaos.

Law and order conditions are in shambles, inflation has soared to a record level, unemployment has increased, and international trade and foreign reserves have hit rock bottom.

The people are living in constant fear as the police have become almost defunct and political vendetta has reached its highest point with workers of Awami League being at the receiving end.

Operation Devil Hunt

The government has launched Operation Devil Hunt. Bangladesh interim government’s advisor on Home Affairs Lt General (Retired) Jehangir Alam Chaudhary sums up the operation, “We target those elements who do not work according to the law and want to destablise the country.”

More than 9,000 people, mostly Awami League workers and leaders, have been arrested under this operation.

Political observers point out, no one was arrested after the National Museum was attacked and ransacked and a part of it was demolished with the help of a bulldozer.

Awami League Workers Being Targeted

After Sheikh Hasina announced to address the people online the Students Against Discrimination threatened to hold a demonstration against it.

Hundreds of people, mainly workers of the student organisation gathered at 32 Dhanmondi, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s house that was converted into a museum.

They remained there for hours and damaged the house, no action was taken against them.

This is not the lone incident of its kind. If media reports are to be believed, hundreds of Awami League workers have been attacked, and beaten, and many of them have been killed.

The police have arrested hundreds of its workers. Many leaders of the party have taken refuge in neighboring India.

Country In Deep Chaos?

Expressing concerns over the deteriorating law and order, Bangladesh Army Chief General Wakar-uz-Zaman said, “Law and order has collapsed and we are bus fighting among ourselves.”

He also said that cases have been lodged against hundreds of police personnel. He also said, “if by humiliating the police force you think you will control the law and order, you are wrong.”

According to the BBC, the house of former minister AK Mojammel
Haque was attacked and damaged. One person was killed and 17 others were injured. The incident took place in the Gazipur area.

Gazipur Police Commissioner Mohammad Nazmul Karim Khan told journalists that police arrest suspects if the matter is brought to its notice.

Disillusioned People Talk About Sheikh Hasina Govt

Bangladesh interim government’s press secretary Shafikul Alam admitted that the demolition of a part of 32 Dhanmondi was wrong. He said that the police could not control the people. He also admitted that no one was arrested in this matter.

If media reports are to be believed, most of the people are upset with the situation, they are angry with the government. People now compare the present government with the Sheikh Hasina regime.

Sheikh Hasina is living in India. She has vowed to return to her country.