Their political ideologies may differ, but when it comes to land grabbing, extortion, attacks, vandalism and looting, activists from rival parties appear to find common ground.
Several recent incidents have highlighted the trend, with police and intelligence agencies finding the involvement of some activists linked to the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and even the Awami League.
Police and intelligence officials said they had found evidence of political links among alleged masterminds, patrons and several suspects arrested over attacks on the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1 and content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio. The two incidents have drawn significant attention in Dhaka in recent weeks.
Thirty-eight citizens have issued a statement condemning the incidents, while social and crime experts blamed the recent political transition, the use of muscle power under party banners and the deterioration of law and order.
They said the government could not evade responsibility and called for those involved, along with their patrons, to be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned the armed attack and attempted murder of media workers at Rajshahi University.
The anti-graft watchdog called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice regardless of their political affiliations or influence.
In a statement issued on Monday, TIB also urged the ruling BNP and opposition Jamaat-e-Islami to take effective measures to prevent violent activities by their parties and affiliated organisations.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said justice must be ensured for the journalists and students who came under attack.
“Attackers, their associates and patrons must be held accountable through impartial investigations, regardless of their political identity or influence,” he said.
Different politics, common crimes
BNP reserved-seat lawmaker Ferdousi Ahmed Misty and former BNP leader Md Hanif Mia have been accused of patronising and masterminding the attack on the Radda MCH-FP Centre.
Ferdousi Ahmed Misty resigned from Parliament following an instruction from BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. Earlier, 14 BNP and affiliated organisation leaders and activists were expelled.
The party did not specifically mention the Radda attack in its expulsion notices, citing allegations of violating party discipline and engaging in unethical activities. However, several party sources said the measures were taken over the attack on the health centre.
Six BNP and affiliated organisation leaders and activists have been arrested over the attack.
Local political sources said those arrested include Saiful Islam Khokon, 48, a member of Shah Ali thana BNP, and Md Alam, 53, president of Ward 8 of Shah Ali thana Sramik Dal.
Nur Alam, the expelled president of Shah Ali thana Jubo Dal, was also arrested. He was expelled four years ago over allegations of violating party discipline and extortion.
Other arrested suspects include Rakib Ahmed, a former joint convener of Shah Ali thana Jubo Dal; Sarwar Alam, vice-president of Dhaka Metropolitan West Chhatra Dal; and Sazzad Hossain Mishu, a former member of the founding committee of Shah Ali thana Chhatra Dal.
Police said Sazzad also identifies himself as vice-president of the Dhaka district unit of the Jatiyatabadi Cyber Dal. Sarwar has also been expelled from the party.
Police have also found links to a former Chhatra League activist and Jamaat in the attack on Salman Muqtadir’s studio.
Police and the Detective Branch (DB) have arrested several people over the attack on the content creator’s studio and the New Guinea Properties bhaban.
Among those arrested is Mizanur Rahman, 59, son-in-law of the MP from Kushtia-2. He is named as an accused in the case.
Another suspect, Shah Alam Anik, is known as a former Chhatra League and Jubo League activist and a joint convener of the Muktijoddha Projonmo League.
Police, DB on political links
At a recent monthly crime review meeting at Police Headquarters, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir said there was no scope to consider an offender’s political or party identity.
“An offender’s only identity is that of a criminal,” he said.
DB chief Shafiqul Islam told Dhaka Tribune that many of those arrested over recent attacks and looting in the capital had political affiliations.
“They were arrested after their information was verified and preliminary evidence was found linking them to the incidents,” he said.
He said police had clear instructions not to consider political affiliations in criminal investigations.
“If anyone commits a crime and the investigation finds evidence against them, we do not consider their party identity. Whoever they are, they will be brought to justice if the allegations are proved. No one will be allowed to get away with crime,” he said.
What BNP, Jamaat leaders say
BNP Chairman’s Adviser Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said the prime minister and BNP chairman had repeatedly warned party leaders and activists against committing crimes under the party banner since the BNP returned to power.
“There will be no leniency if anyone commits a crime under the party banner,” he said.
Alal said taking action against party members accused of wrongdoing was not a new practice for the BNP.
“It has a long history. In the past, action was also taken against party leaders and ministers when allegations were raised against them,” he said.
Referring to the action against a reserved-seat lawmaker, Alal said she had made significant sacrifices for the BNP but was nevertheless instructed to resign and held accountable over the allegations against her.
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar told Dhaka Tribune that offences could involve violations of social, legal, moral or party rules.
“Our constitution provides for action against those who commit offences, depending on their nature. No one will be spared if they commit a crime by using their party position or identity. Punishment is inevitable,” he said.
Experts, civil society call for action
Thirty-eight citizens have issued a statement condemning the recent attacks, vandalism and looting.
They called for impartial, high-level investigations to identify those directly involved as well as the groups and patrons behind the incidents and bring them to justice.
In the statement, civil society representatives said political and muscle power were being used in different parts of the country to grab land, attack homes and occupy khas land in riverine areas.
Such incidents, they said, were creating fear and anxiety among the public and contributing to a worsening law and order situation.
Social and crime expert Dr Touhidul Haque, a teacher of University of Dhaka, told Dhaka Tribune that the recent political transition, the use of muscle power under party banners and the deterioration of law and order had contributed to such incidents.
“The government cannot evade responsibility in any way,” he said.
He said political activists from different parties had been found involved in the Radda MCH-FP Centre and Salman Muqtadir studio attacks, with several suspects already arrested.
“In most major organised crimes in the country, political leaders and top criminals work together,” he said.
He said the political landscape had changed, while the absence of some influential people from the country had created opportunities for others to attack properties, engage in gunfire, vandalism and looting, and attempt to seize assets.
“These incidents show that the rule of law is weak and law enforcement agencies are inactive, which is a matter of serious concern,” he said.
“Therefore, the solution must come from political leaders themselves.”