Law and order has deteriorated drastically in Noakhali. 3.886 million people are living in fear. Murder, rape, drugs, theft, robbery, extortion, land grabbing, and riots by juvenile gangs have become daily occurrences. In just a week, several murders have created panic in the area. Several high-profile incidents have taken place in Sonaimuri, Sudharam, and one of the most important upazilas of the district, Begumganj.

Although the district police, RAB, District Detective Police (DB), and the Narcotics Control Department (DNC) are actively involved in various law enforcement agencies, crime is not being controlled in any way. One criminal incident after another has created intense fear and anxiety in the minds of the local common people.

Sources say that in the last few weeks, murders, shootings, open extortion, violence by juvenile gangs, and the mischief of drug dealers have increased at an alarming rate in the district. Specially in various markets and important areas of the district, members of juvenile gangs are practicing in groups, due to which ordinary pedestrians and students are suffering from extreme insecurity. At the same time, drug sale and consumption have increased in parallel, which is pushing the young society to the brink of destruction. In the meantime, political instability has further complicated the situation.

There have also been clashes and attacks between leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and BNP. The OC of Sudharam Model Police Station has already been removed for failing to handle the incident. Due to this political violence, tension is constantly prevailing in different areas of the district, which is having a direct impact on ordinary public life. Recently, businessmen are panicking over the incident of forcibly taking money from cash boxes in business establishments.

Local residents have expressed their anger over this delicate state of law and order. Md., a resident of Noakhali Municipality. Ilias Hossain said: "Although the sirens of police and administration vehicles can be heard, in reality their strict role in suppressing crime is not noticeable. A huge and powerful syndicate has been formed in the district centered on drugs. The common people have become hostages to drug dealers and users. He also alleged that some dishonest police officers are linked to drug dealers."

Shamsul Haque and Ismail Hossain, residents of Chaumuhani Municipality, said that taking advantage of the deteriorating law and order situation, they are trying to fight drugs themselves by raiding and vandalizing the houses of drug dealers in Mujahidpur in Begumganj, Ganipur in Chaumuhani Municipality, Hajipur in various places. Many people are also victims of drug dealers and terrorist attacks due to the many times they are prevented. When complaints are filed at the police station, there are allegations of delay in investigating the complaint and police officers taking the side of drug dealers.

This is causing fear in the common people. In addition, some dishonest policemen, while patrolling at night, are staying in various drug-selling areas and giving concessions to those involved in crimes in exchange for money. Due to these reasons, criminals are becoming more reckless day by day. Recently, the common people are living in extreme fear for the safety of their lives and property. Meanwhile, 4 murders have occurred in the district in the last one week. Among them, businessman Kamal Uddin was killed in Kashipur, Sonaimuri, over a property dispute, Rakib was attacked by a teenage gang in Khanpur, Begumganj for not paying extortion, businessman Kamal Hossain was killed in Dadpur, Sudharam, over drug dealing and gambling, and Saddam Hossain was killed in Sharifpur, Begumganj due to previous enmity.

In addition, the arrest of a young man named Rahim with three firearms from Banglabazar, Begumganj, and the attempt to kill a young man named Omar Faruk in Hajipur have sparked new discussions. Various political parties including the district BNP and Jamaat have expressed concern over such a deterioration in the law and order situation.

The locals demand that not only regular patrols, but also a combing operation should be conducted immediately against the shelters of the teenage gang, identified drug dealers, extortionists and those involved in violence based on specific intelligence information. Otherwise, the overall situation in the district may take a more dire turn, concerned circles fear.

When asked about this, Noakhali Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Abu Tayyab Md. Arif Hossain told Manabzamin that the police are making maximum efforts to curb crime and several people involved in the murder have already been arrested. Firearms have been recovered. Stricter steps will be taken soon to control the situation and restore peace to the public.