Economy
Dhaka Residents Plunge into Panic as Nightfall Brings Surge of Crime
Robbery and Burglary Reports Flood Social Media
As the sun set on Wednesday, August 7, panic engulfed Dhaka’s residents. Social media buzzed with alarming reports of robbery, burglary, and mugging incidents sweeping across the city.
Multiple Areas Affected
Our correspondents reported robberies in several areas, including Mohammadpur, Jigatola, Uttara, Mirpur, and Jatrabari. These reports continued to pour in as late as 3:30 am on Thursday.
Community and Army Response
In some neighborhoods, army personnel successfully thwarted these attempts. Meanwhile, local residents formed patrol groups, communicating via various messaging platforms to coordinate their efforts.
Citizen Vigilance
Local patrol teams were established, and residents would visit identified problem zones to monitor and report back on the situation. Facebook became a hub for netizens to share incidents of robbery and burglary.
Personal Accounts of the Chaos
Journalist Adittya Saha Niloy shared his experience: “At around 11:00 pm, the mosque in my area announced that robbers had entered the neighborhood. The announcement urged people to lock their doors.” Similar warnings echoed through Jafrabad, reported by MD Tajul Islam, a TBS journalist.
Emergency Helplines and Suspended Police Duties
The army released emergency helpline numbers for citizens after the police force suspended its duties. “In Bosila, locals are patrolling with sticks for safety,” Niloy added, describing how residents attempted to confront armed robbers who ultimately fled.
Continued Vigilance
By 3:30 am, another announcement from a nearby mosque urged residents to remain alert and prepared for defensive action at any moment.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
