By A Special Correspondent

A chilling wave of brazen grabbing, armed violence, and widespread looting has gripped Bangladesh’s capital, leaving public safety in tatters and sparking intense frustration among citizens.

Despite pledges to restore order, the spiral of mob violence, extortion, land grabbing, and lawlessness that has escalated in recent months appears increasingly out of control.

The recent back-to-back attacks—the bulldozing of the decades-old, community-focused 'Radda Clinic' in Mirpur and the armed rampage at content creator Salman Muqtadir's 'Brown Fish Studio' near ECB Circle—have sent shockwaves through the nation.

That hundreds of armed individuals could assault a healthcare facility or a commercial establishment in broad daylight, vandalizing property and looting assets with impunity, points to a terrifying breakdown of the capital’s security apparatus.

What has compounded public anger is the agonizing inaction of law enforcement agencies. During the assault on the ECB Circle housing area and the studio, multi-stage attacks and looting unfolded over hours, yet security forces failed to mount a timely response. Similarly, the swift destruction of Radda Clinic under the guise of legal disputes or sheer muscle power underscores a troubling reality: ordinary citizens and essential institutions are left utterly defenseless.

News reports and local sources increasingly point fingers at local factional leaders and influential figures linked to political networks, including those associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), exploiting the post-August political transition.

Control over extortion networks—ranging from the lucrative garment-waste ('jhut') trade to footpaths, transport hubs, and prime real estate—is being violently contested. While political leadership routinely preaches zero tolerance against crime, field-level enforcement remains conspicuously absent, allowing perpetrators to operate under partisan umbrellas.

This lawlessness extends far beyond Mirpur or ECB Circle. Reports of extortion, muggings, and illegal occupations have become daily occurrences across Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Uttara, and Old Dhaka.

The fallout on the business climate is devastating. Investment—both local and foreign—thrives on predictability, safety, and the sanctity of property rights. When entrepreneurs see creative studios and healthcare clinics destroyed in plain sight, investor confidence evaporates, severely damaging Bangladesh's international standing at a critical juncture of economic recovery.
If the capital cannot be freed from the grip of armed grabbers and extortionists, the rule of law will remain a hollow promise.

The government must act decisively, putting an end to political patronage and bringing every perpetrator to justice regardless of party affiliation.

Simultaneously, major political parties, particularly the BNP, must take immediate administrative and organizational steps to purge elements using their banners to commit crimes.

Restoring law enforcement's accountability and presence on the streets is no longer optional—it is a vital prerequisite for national stability.