Statistics do not provide safety assurance

Outlining the current state of law and order in the country, the interim government recently assured that the situation is “improving steadily,” pointing to policy engagement, police action, and official data. However, events unfolding across the country suggest a more troubling reality on the ground—criminals appear increasingly emboldened, and people still do not trust the police or security forces to protect them. The recent killing of a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officer in Sitakunda is another indicator of this breakdown. When even law enforcement officers are targeted so brazenly, how are citizens supposed to feel safe? Criminals do not act this way unless they believe the state’s response will be weak or delayed.

The government’s own figures acknowledge that an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 people lose their lives to violent crime each year. In January, there have been several killings cutting across geography, profession, and political affiliation. The statement from the interim has tried to contextualise violence against minorities, demonstrating that most incidents are criminal rather than communal—out of 645 incidents involving members of minority communities from 2025, “only” 71 of those were communal in nature. While this data matters, the distinction offers little comfort to victims. Whether driven by communal hatred, political rivalry, land disputes, or personal enmity, the outcome is the same. Where lives are lost, communities live in fear, which makes it difficult to maintain faith in the justice delivery system. 

Besides, many people these days rely less on law enforcement and instead resort to mob “justice.” Meanwhile, several violent crimes have been committed by criminals with little fear of retaliation. Against such a backdrop, selective case numbers or statistics alone cannot assure people that the law and order situatoin is improving. Rather, they need the assurance to feel safe while walking home at night, running a business, reporting a crime, or resolving disputes without violence. That basic sense of safety feels increasingly out of reach now.

We urge the government to stop minimising the current crisis and to acknowledge that law and order has deteriorated and public confidence has been badly shaken. Restoring law and order must be an emergency priority, rather than a communications challenge to be managed. This requires visible, sustained, and proactive policing; swift and impartial investigations; public accountability for failures; and clear consequences for perpetrators, regardless of who they are or whom they are connected to. Just as importantly, the state must seek partnership with communities by listening to their fears, encouraging reporting, and rebuilding trust. This is particularly crucial ahead of the national election. 

Without real acknowledgment and decisive action, the gap between official optimism and reality will continue to widen, leaving space for further violence, vigilantism, and fear. Restoring safety begins with telling the truth, and acting on it.