The Bangladesh chapter of Transparency International has expressed grave concern over the interim governmentโs reluctance to tackle the ongoing lawlessness, political clashes, mob violence, and financial corruption.
Presenting its report on the first anniversary of the fall of the Awami League government on Monday, the TIB said that the political parties were found to be engaged in extortion, forcibly taking control of transport terminals and businesses.
Law and order deteriorated by creating mobs, blocking roads, besieging police stations, and demonstrating. Politically motivated cases have been filed.
The TIB’s observation also said that after the fall of the government, extortion of Tk2.21 crore per day has taken place from 53 transport terminals and stands in Dhaka city.
Helmet League Exposed: How Shibir sabotaged Chhatra League
Police demand recognition in July Charter, justice for massacre
In addition, stone looting from quarries and rivers in Sylhet and lease control of bridges, markets, ghats, sand places, water places, etc. have been taken by political parties.
The TIB reported that political violence left 121 people killed and 5,189 injured in 471 incidents in Bangladesh between August 2024 and June this year.
The BNP was engaged in 92% of the violence, while the Awami League accounted for 22%. Jamaat was involved in 5% of the instances, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) was involved in 1%, it said.
TIB researchers Shahzada Akram and Julkarnayeen presented the research report.
BNP, NCP help release 2 student thugs while extorting Tk3 crore
Sylhet ADSM coordinator jailed for threatening land officer
NCP central leaderโs father attempts to occupy khas land in Dohar
Julkarnayeen said: “We have found the lack of respect for law among many of the political parties.”
The research found that political parties lack internal discipline and, further, that they cannot take action against the party men involved in these crimes, according to The Daily Star.
“We also found unity among the party people for their personal gains,” he added.
Kingโs Party
The TIB research states that a political party, or the King’s Party, has been formed under the patronage of the government.
When a journalist wanted to know about it, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said: “There is nothing to hide. This is the National Citizens Party; it has been said that it is the King’s Party. Because, among those who are with it as fellow soldiers or fellow travellers, two of them are now in the government. As such, it is the King’s Party.”
India alarmed by Turkey-backed Greater Bangladesh propaganda
Suppression of civil society under Islamist-backed Yunus regime
HRWโs stance against Yunusโ fascism echoes public concern
Dr Iftekhar said the interim government has taken numerous initiatives for reforms, but many of them are on an ad hoc basis and have no clear roadmap for implementation.
In many cases, the government had to backtrack because of pressures from certain political parties, he said. “We have found that some members of the very newly formed political party, the interim government, and the political parties were involved in corruption and instances of conflict of interest,” he said.
“Thus, we can say we have ousted an authoritarian regime but are not doing enough to uproot the authoritarian system,” Dr Iftekhar said.
English