Crimes such as murder, extortion and robbery continue to plague various parts of the country despite efforts by law enforcement agencies.

On January 24, Arnob Kumar Sarker, a 28-year-old MBA student at Khulna University, was shot dead by unidentified assailants around 9:15pm at the Tetultala intersection in Khulna.

On the same day, at around 1:00pm, dried fish trader Md Jahangir was shot dead in Noapara village of Raozan, Chattogram. Two men who attempted to save him were assaulted by the attackers.

The previous day, armed muggers shot a jewellery trader and reportedly stole 50 bhori of gold and Tk 3.5 lakh from his possession in Dhaka's Kamrangirchar area. The incident occurred around 11:00pm in the Beribadh area.

On January 22, Abdul Kader Sikdar, who runs currency exchange, and his cousin Amir Hamza were stabbed in the capital's upmarket Gulshan area, with attackers allegedly making off with Tk 1 crore.

The same day, two men -- Sazu Mollah, a chauffeur, and Rimon Hossain, a vegetable vendor -- were murdered in separate stabbing incidents in Bijoynagar and Mugda areas of the capital, reportedly over previous enmity and disputes over property.

Omar Faruk, a professor at the Department of Criminology and Police Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, said criminals perceive the current environment to be favourable for their activities as the morale of the law enforcement agencies, including the police, has been severely impacted by the uprising.

"As a result, criminals are acting recklessly, often in broad daylight -- the deterrent effect is no longer sufficient because they believe they won't face significant consequences," he said

This lack of fear has emboldened them further, Faruk said.

"From the start, there was a lack of trust between the police and the public. Now, there's a crisis of trust on both sides."

Many officers are not actively participating in their duties, and there is a noticeable lack of motivation within the force, Faruk said.

Moreover, arms and ammunition looted during the uprisings have fallen into the hands of criminals.

As a result, the severity of crimes has increased, Faruk added.

Take the case of Hasibul Islam, a 40-year-old pharmaceutical professional, who was murdered by assailants within the confines of his home.

On January 2, at around 2:00am, he returned to his Gazipur home with his family after visiting his in-laws in Dhaka.

While unloading their belongings, six to seven youths approached them and began harassing Hasibul's wife and brother-in-law Hanif.

When Hasibul, Hanif and the driver Shimul protested, the attackers assaulted them. Despite retreating into their home, the assailants followed them and killed Hasibul inside his home.

Mob violence is also on the rise.

On January 22, a man named Rubel, 32, was tied to a banyan tree in Thakurgaon and beaten to death over an alleged motorcycle theft.

Even policemen have not been spared from attacks.

At least five police personnel were injured when supporters of a Chhatra Dal leader allegedly assaulted them at New Market Police Station on January 24.

The assault was reportedly an attempt to free the leader from custody after his arrest for attacking two computer traders.

On January 10, two computer shop owners, Wahedul Hasan Dipu and Ehteshamul Haque, were stabbed near Multiplan Center for opposing extortion. Top criminal Sanjidul Haque Emon and his associates were accused in the case.

What is more alarming is that criminals are posing as members of joint forces or the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) while committing crimes.

Police arrested 12 individuals impersonating members of the DGFI while attempting to rob a flat in Chattogram's Khulshi area on January 25.

The suspects were caught red-handed on the eighth floor of the Sanmar Royal Reach Building, where they had targeted the residence of Jamuna Oil Company's former managing director Giash Uddin Ansari.

On January 22, police foiled a robbery plot and arrested four suspects, including two serving army members, near Banani Star Kabab restaurant in the capital.

On January 11, a group of robbers, posing as members of joint forces, entered the house of a businessman on Road 29 of Gulshan Avenue and looted Tk 46 lakh in cash, 60 bhori of gold jewellery and other valuables.

A day later, Touhid Ahmed, the officer-in-charge of Gulshan Police Station, was suspended for allegedly delaying the filing of a case over the robbery incident.

"We have already increased vigilance and are conducting drives to arrest listed criminals and muggers -- no matter who the criminals are, no one will be spared," said SN Md Nazrul Islam, additional commissioner (crime and operations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The police crime data shows a rise in certain crimes.

Between September and December last year, a total of 243 robbery cases were filed across the country, up from 98 a year earlier.

During the period, there were 563 robberies, 302 kidnappings and 949 burglaries cases. At this time a year earlier, the number of robberies was 396, kidnappings 160 and burglaries 859.

In the same period, a total of 947 murder cases were registered across the country in 2024, but it was 956 in 2023, according to crime data.

The police are actively working to combat crime, said Enamul Haque Sagor, assistant inspector general (media) at the Police Headquarters.

"In metropolitan areas, police are arresting muggers. Additionally, regular patrols and tactical operations are being conducted nationwide to apprehend the culprits behind these incidents," he added.