By Hemayet Hossain

The frantic violence and reckless activities of juvenile gangs across the country have made public life intolerable.

The recent countrywide crackdown initiated by law enforcement agencies to stem the tide of gang culture and juvenile crimes is undoubtedly a commendable first step.

Policy planners have already signaled that joint force operations may be deployed if necessary to bring the situation under control. Such a zero-tolerance policy serves as a positive sign toward restoring stability.
However, temporary or piecemeal operations alone will not yield a permanent fix to the country's overall law and order situation.

The raw data and figures surrounding juvenile crime, routinely splashed across newspaper headlines, remain deeply alarming. Internal feuds and gang culture continue to claim innocent lives, devastating countless families.

According to reports from media outlets and rights organizations, numerous homicides linked to juvenile gangs have occurred in recent months, leading to scores of arrests.

Yet, simply swelling the arrest tally will not uproot the crisis unless the political patrons and shadow financiers enabling these youth are brought to justice.
The culture of "mob terror" and mob violence—which gained momentum during Dr. Yunus's interim administration—unravels as an ongoing threat that cannot be countenanced.

When vigilante justice and a culture of taking the law into one's own hands persist under an elected government, it sends a troubling message about the state of governance.

Citizens anticipated that the BNP government, having assumed power with a overwhelming parliamentary majority, would swiftly eliminate this anarchy. If mob violence and street crimes remain unchecked, citizens will naturally begin to question the administration's political willpower and administrative competency.

Adding to the anxiety, two high-profile land-grabbing incidents in the capital have heightened public panic.

It is worth remembering that sustainable economic growth and robust foreign direct investment (FDI) hinge on good governance and a predictable law and order environment. If foreign investors or global trade partners perceive weak rule of law, entrenched impunity, or recurring mob violence, they will inevitably shy away from committing capital.

In the current economic climate, foreign investment and macroeconomic stability are vital for Bangladesh.
From a political standpoint, neglecting this deterioration is a luxury the government cannot afford. If law enforcement breaks down on the streets or in civic spaces and the government fails to respond decisively, opposition political blocs—particularly the Jamaat-led alliance—will capitalize on these administrative shortcomings.

Securing public safety remains the sole effective strategy to preserve political equilibrium and deny strategic leverage to adversaries.

So, the government and the Ministry of Home Affairs must roll out a concrete, far-sighted, and long-term roadmap to restore law and order.

Along with the uprooting the socio-political roots of juvenile delinquency, enforcing strict legal mechanisms to eradicate "mob culture" is the imperative of the hour.

Restoring professionalism within law enforcement agencies, ensuring swift justice for offenders, and guaranteeing public safety will be essential if the government is to foster true governance and economic resilience.