Mob violence in Bangladesh causes rising deaths and fear

Panic and unrest are spreading across Bangladesh as mob violence continues. In January and February, at least 27 people died from mob attacks. This number is significant compared to 32 incidents reported in the first half of 2024. The interim government, now led by Muhammad Yunus, has promised to take action against violence, regardless of the perpetrators' backgrounds. Tensions intensified after an eight-year-old girl, who was raped in the Magura district, died on March 12. Her death sparked outrage, leading locals to set fire to the accused's home. Since then, protests against violence towards women and children have escalated. The government has banned demonstrations in critical areas of Dhaka to quell the unrest. The Magura case is not isolated. Recently, another child was hospitalized after being raped in Sirajganj. Human rights organizations have reported an alarming increase in such incidents. Activists have pointed out that the government’s warnings have had little effect in curbing violence. Women in Bangladesh regularly face violence and harassment, and recent incidents highlight ongoing societal issues. According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), at least 85 women were raped in January and February. Since 2017, nearly 10,000 children under 18 have experienced violence, with many being survivors of rape. The Human Rights Support Society has noted that between 2020 and 2024, thousands of women and children were victims of sexual violence. Mob violence has surged in recent months. On March 16, a man accused of child rape was killed by a mob in Barisal. In February, five men accused of robbery were killed in Shariatpur. Statistics show a sharp increase in mob attacks after a regime change in August 2024, with 123 incidents reported in just a few months. Crime rates are also rising dramatically. In January 2025, police recorded 294 murder cases, up from 231 in January 2024. Reports of robbery and banditry increased by 50% during the same period. The government has vowed to take a hard stance against crime and announced special operations to catch criminals. However, many citizens doubt the effectiveness of these measures. Advocates say that there has been a drop in police presence, allowing crime to thrive. They stress that without better law enforcement and community action, the situation is unlikely to improve.