Staff Correspondent:

Defying special drives by law enforcers, rampant criminal activities are continuing across the country, raising questions about the interim government’s capabilities.

Curiously, the situation has been caused not just by criminals, busy with their own petty interests, but also by a large group of allies of the ousted autocrats.

Sources claim, the majority of law enforcers were recruited during the autocratic reign of Awami League, and are instigating others to stay tepid in actions.

Awami League was ousted from power in August last year, and a highly-prospective interim government took charge, but the internal security situation remains shaky seven months into the political changeover.

There are two forces impeding active police involvement in security emergencies: 1) fear among police personnel for potential charges against their roles in suppressing dissent during the Awami League regime, and 2) conspirations by Awami League allies both within and outside police force to destabilize the Prof Yunus-led interim government.

Hopefully, the Police Reform Commission has submitted its recommendations for overhauling the police force. Once implemented the recommendations would gradually bring order and discipline in police ranks, experts hope.

Professor Dr Umar Faruk, from the criminology department at Maulana Bhashani Science and Technology University, told the Bangla daily Kaler Kantho that many police members are suffering from low-confidence fearing potential revenge attacks and legal actions for their active role in suppressing protests against Awami League.

Most members of the current police force were recruited during the Awami League regime, and thus most are suffering from acute low-confidence. A force cannot be allowed to function in this way, Dr Umar Faruk noted. He called for urgent implementation of reform commission’s proposals to alleviate the crisis.

Each police member should be tried according to the degree of their offences, while the innocent ones should be allowed to continue duties with ease, he recommended.

Many police personnel have avoided the legal shackle for now, but are mentally devastated.

At least four police officers, who suppressed Awami League-era protesters including the July-August demonstrators, told Kaler Kantho they are waiting for a transition into an elected government to evade the Prof Yunus-led justice and reform push.

If they perform actively, their pro-autocratic roles might come to light, leading to legal repercussions. Therefore, they are only biding time with lukewarm security responses, until the formation of an elected government, which they hope to sway to their benefit, the four officers told Kaler Kantho.

Many pro-Awami League officers have changed their garb, and, for the time being, are pretending as supporters of interim government. But they orchestrated widespread killings of peaceful demonstrators during last years’ July-August uprising, and are continuing to destabilize the country through behind-the-scene conspiracies.

Not only police members but also some RAB members are involved in sinister anti-state schemes.

In this backdrop, the recommendations of “Police Reform Commission” must be implemented immediately. The police members’ association has also backed the reforms. A former police officer, preferring anonymity, said the reforms must be implemented as primary solutions and more must be undertaken in the long run.