Although staying indoors amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has minimized various kinds of crime, it has hardly made any difference in reducing violence against women in Dhaka.
Incidents of theft, too, have increased as shops, businesses and other organizations remain closed due to the shutdown. Cases of fraud are on the rise as well.
The decline in the number of reports of criminal activities doesn’t necessarily mean that they are not happening. Rather, it is more likely that fewer cases are being reported because people are not stepping out of their homes to file complaints, fearing harassment in streets, human rights campaigners told Dhaka Tribune.
Many victims of violence are also unwilling to seek police’s help as they doubt whether they would receive justice amid the coronavirus lockdown, they added.
According to data gathered by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), cases of violence against women were higher in March compared to February and January this year.
A total of 56 rape cases and 132 cases of other forms of violence against women were filed in March in Dhaka, while it was 45 and 120, respectively, in February. January saw 42 rape cases and 86 violence cases, according to the data.
On the other hand, 67 fraud cases were filed in March, against 61 each in February and January.
In March, 168 cases of theft were reported against 157 in February and 165 in January.
Since the nationwide general holiday came into effect on March 26, organized crime has slowed down in Dhaka, but the three aformentioned forms of crime - violence against women, in particular - is on the upward spiral.
Is living in close quarters for days causing tension?
People have been locked up in their homes due to the nationwide general holiday, enforced on March 26 to ensure social distancing in order to contain Covid-19 transmission. This has led to a rise in domestic tension and violence, according to human rights activist Alena Khan.
“Before, people would go out for work and other purposes. Now they are staying in for days. Individuals are under pressure as families are running out of money and food, while there are job insecurities too,” she told Dhaka Tribune.
“Poor people, on the other hand, are remaining half-starved or are starving. This is making people frustrated and angry, leading them to conflicts that are often turning violent. For similar reasons, violence against women has increased as well," she added.
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed grave concern over the rise of violence against women as well as children, and demanded proper action against the perpetrators involved.
The organization demanded fair and impartial investigation against the suspects, ensuring punishment of the criminals. They also urged the authorities concerned to take a “zero tolerance” policy to stop such incidents from recurring.
On April 6, saying that peace is not just the absence of war, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all the governments to put women's safety first while responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Many women under lockdown for Covid-19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes. Today I appeal for peace in homes around the world," he said in his call to the governments.
No let-up in theft, fraud, narcotics cases
The monthly crime statistics of DMP show that incidents of theft, fraud, and narcotics trade have continued as usual in Dhaka, despite the lockdown, although there has been a dip in other criminal activities.
A total of 2,055 cases were lodged in March, including 1,128 cases filed under the Narcotics Control Act, 16 on murder charges, and two of robbery.
In February, a total of 2,131 cases were lodged, including 1,205 cases under the Narcotics Control Act, 29 for child abuse, and 15 related to robbery.
In January, DMP registered a total of 2,247 cases, including 21 murder cases and 19 robbery cases.
Mishuk Chakma, deputy commissioner of DMP's Cyber Crime Unit, and Khairul Alam, additional superintendent of police of the CID's Cyber Police Unit, both said that incidents of cybercrimes and fraud continue to be reported.
People are committing fraud by supplying low-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) and substandard masks in the name of N95 masks to people living in fear, according to the police officials.
They further added that rumours were being spread in various ways with misleading information, and some people have already been arrested for circulating false information on coronavirus.
About the harassment of women on social media platforms, they said the number of complaints may have reduced, but these incidents are still happening.
There are less reports of such cases because women are not going to the police station to file the complaints, due to the lockdown.
However, police are monitoring internet-based crimes and taking action if or when they find any irregularities, they added.
Report to police if PPE-clad people try to force into your home
Police have requested the citizens to contact the nearest police station if someone wearing PPE tries to enter their house posing as a healthcare worker, a police official or a member of the armed forces, asking to collect samples for Covid-19 test.
DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Masudur Rahman said criminal activities have lessened as criminals are also staying in due to the lockdown.
"Nevertheless, we are maintaining the regular protocol and patrolling the streets as before, to avert any crime," he added.