Bangladesh’s recent use of the army in nationwide anti-crime operations, including the arrest of 56 individuals from August 14 to 21, highlights a growing and concerning dependency on the military for internal policing. According to the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), army units from various infantry divisions and brigades carried out the operations in coordination with law enforcement agencies in Dhaka and several districts.
This ongoing involvement of the military in tasks traditionally reserved for the police, such as arresting criminals, recovering illegal weapons, and managing public order, raises serious questions about the effectiveness and autonomy of Bangladesh’s civilian law enforcement institutions. It reflects a failure to address structural weaknesses in the police force and sets a precedent that could undermine democratic norms and civil liberties.
The army is trained for national defense and combat situations, not for policing civilian populations. Military personnel are not held to the same standards of accountability and transparency required of civil law enforcement. Their involvement in arresting juveniles, drug users, and alleged petty criminals raises legitimate concerns about the proportionality and legality of such actions. Once militarized, law enforcement becomes less transparent, less accountable, and more prone to violating rights in the name of public safety.
Furthermore, the ISPR’s statement that the army is involved in controlling labor unrest and maintaining business stability in industrial areas illustrates the extent of military overreach. Civilian disputes between workers and employers are not matters of national security. Addressing them with military force threatens to suppress labor rights and discourage lawful protest.
Bangladesh must take concrete steps to strengthen its civilian police forces. This includes increased funding, better training in community-based policing, modern investigative tools, and strict internal accountability. Only a professional, civilian-led law enforcement system can maintain public order while respecting the rights of citizens.
Continuing to rely on the army to manage crime and unrest risks turning a short-term solution into a long-term problem. It erodes civilian authority, compromises due process, and blurs the lines between defense and domestic affairs. For the sake of democratic integrity and civil rights, Bangladesh must end its reliance on military forces for internal security and refocus efforts on building capable, accountable civilian institutions.