Street crime on the rise before holidays

Mugging and robbery have become regular occurrences in the streets of Bangladesh these days. While criminal activity used to be confined mainly within busy marketplaces and highways, they have now become common in quiet residential areas as well. People have been known to lose their lives for showing the slightest bit of resistance to those demanding their valuables at gunpoint. A man was recently stabbed while talking on his mobile phone on the streets in Dhaka. 

These crimes have become particularly common as Eid approaches, and can be expected to continue increasing. The traffic tailbacks and gridlocks allow snatchers to take advantage of innocent people who have their guards down in their lightened, holiday moods. It is all a cause of perpetual unemployment, poverty and drug abuse, and the lawlessness that allows these crimes to run rampant. 

The government needs to take serious steps to control street crimes, especially during the holiday season. Special police booths and hotlines should be set up to deal with complaints relating to street crime. These services will also help us feel safer and encourage us to seek help if we are robbed and attacked. I urge the authorities to look into this matter and put greater emphasis on safeguarding the security of Bangladeshi civilians. 

Zubair Khaled Huq 
By e-mail