How will Yunus and his team tackle total law and order breakdown?

The interim government prioritises law and order amid nationwide unrest and attacks on minorities

Sheikh Hasina's fall and escape triggered a political vacuum in Bangladesh and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has stepped in to lead an interim government amid a turbulent backdrop.

The challenges ahead are formidable, with deteriorating law and order, widespread attacks, and a sense of fear gripping the nation.

The newly appointed advisory council, comprising 14 members, has taken on the daunting task of restoring stability.

Following the distribution of portfolios, their immediate focus is on bringing the law and order situation back under control.

In a sign of cautious optimism, police personnel have begun to gradually return to duty.

With the support of the army and Border Guard Bangladesh, some police stations are resuming limited operations.

The new police chief is working to rebuild the morale of his force while initiating efforts to restructure the police system.

Former election commissioner and retired brigadier general M Sakhawat Hossain, who has been tasked to helm the Ministry of Home Affairs, spelled out the caretaker administration’s priorities.

"Our first goal is to improve the law and order," he said.

"Secondly, we must restore the confidence of the law-enforcing agencies, which has been severely shaken."

The unrest that followed Hasina’s resignation on Aug 5 saw a wave of attacks on police stations, with reports of vandalism, arson, and casualties among police personnel.

Government buildings, Awami League offices, homes, businesses, and temples of minority communities also came under attack, exacerbating the already tense situation.

The absence of traffic police has led to chaos on the roads, and images of students, various organisations, and political activists guarding minority communities' homes and temples have surfaced on social media, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The sustainability of this temporary government remains in question, particularly with schools set to reopen, raising concerns about the future.

Salehuddin Ahmed, the former governor of Bangladesh Bank tasked with rebuilding the economy, emphasised that restoring peace and order is the government's top priority.

Despite the challenges, he views reviving the economy as a critical task.

Speaking to reporters at the Central Shaheed Minar after paying respects to the language martyrs on Friday, the advisor for finance and planning: "Business has slowed down, and the impact on people's livelihoods must be addressed urgently."

After the first meeting of the advisory council, Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan stressed the importance of police involvement.

"We must ensure that police are deployed as quickly as possible and that we all support them. If a force like the police loses morale, they will feel insecure. Our student representatives and home advisor will be engaging with them," she told reporters.

QUESTIONS LEFT UNANSWERED

The interim government’s tenure has not been disclosed by the advisors, even on its second day.

But, it is evident that the elections will not be held within 90 days as stipulated in the constitution. The advisors have said that reform is needed before a timeframe can be set for the next election.

Chief Advisor Yunus distributed the duties for the different government agencies among the interim government's advisors on Friday.

He kept as many as 27 ministries or divisions to himself, which could mean he could add more people to his cabinet.

Some of the ministries may also be distributed among the three advisors who have yet to take their oath of office.

It was also decided that the students who took part in the movement would also be given the opportunity to supervise ministries from the position of an ‘assistant advisor’ or other roles.

After the first meeting of the advisory council on Friday, Rizwana said: “How the students will be involved and what the structure will be is something we will decide later.”

Nahid Islam, the telecoms and ICT advisor, said: “This coup has taken place under the students' leadership. People took to the streets while keeping their faith in the students. We think the people will trust the young students when they speak in the government for the reform of the state.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had demanded the general elections be held within three months after meeting President Mohammed Shahabuddin, and Army chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman at Bangabhaban on Aug 5.

The party's Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who is currently in the United Kingdom, also demanded the elections be held as soon as possible at a rally in the capital’s Naya Paltan on Aug 7.

However, the advisors' statements after taking the oath of office revealed that they have yet to determine the term of the interim government.

While speaking to the journalists after the swearing-in ceremony, Rizwana said: “It won't be possible to talk about or discuss the tenure right now. I can’t talk about the tenure without knowing what reforms you want. It is a different case if you don’t want reforms. There is no need to be restless about the tenure.”

“The interim government has been formed so that Bangladesh can begin its democratic journey. We will only take the time needed to do that. Ultimately, we will have to march towards democracy.”

She added: “We talk about reforms in all sectors. We have to change the system. These reforms cannot be made alone. We have to talk to everyone in society, the media, and the professionals. We will speak to everyone to form the reform agenda and then discuss it.”

GOVERNMENT'S KEY CHALLENGES

Human rights activist Khushi Kabir has no doubt that restoring internal stability in the country is the most urgent challenge for the government.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, she said: "Given the number of police officers who have been killed and police stations that have been burnt, restoring these is only a matter of time.

“We must rebuild their confidence. How can we run the country without the police? We need to restore their confidence to maintain law and order."

Economist Ahsan H Mansur emphasised the need to focus on political reforms and economic recovery.

He said: "Democracy must be nurtured within political parties, leadership should emerge from the grassroots, and reforms should be introduced in the electoral process."

Samina Luthfa, a sociology professor at Dhaka University, is keen to see the promised reforms enacted.

She said: "We are at a critical point where qualitative changes are possible if we choose to act.

"If we remain passive as before, previously marginalised political parties will resurface, while newly marginalised groups will become embroiled in conflicts. This is becoming increasingly evident."

CONCERN OVER MINORITY SAFETY

As the Awami League government was brought down, attacks targeting not only leaders, activists, and supporters of the Awami League but also Hindus erupted across the country.

Their homes are being attacked and businesses destroyed besides being torched.

Videos of these incidents have spread on social media.

On Friday afternoon, Hindu communities at Shahbagh in Dhaka held a four-hour blockade demanding improved security and other issues, with similar actions planned for Saturday.

The first meeting of the caretaker administration’s advisors addressed the issue of minority safety.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, who is the advisor for forest, environment, and climate change, said: "Attacks are occurring against religious minorities and indigenous communities in some areas.”

“We will discuss with local organisations representing these groups to establish a protective framework. We have already spoken with the inspector general of police about this matter."

DISCUSSIONS AND DECISIONS

The first meeting of the advisory committee addressed several critical issues, including the withdrawal of “harassment” cases, the reopening of educational institutions, and leadership changes to rejuvenate the financial sector.

Rizwana said numerous harassment cases related to the quota reform movement were filed.

"There have been political harassment cases before. We have decided to take measures to address and stop these harassment cases," she added.

Although there have been repeated calls for the repeal of the Digital Security Act, the meeting focused on amending the law.

Rizwana said, "We discussed how to amend the Digital Security Act to prevent its misuse against free speech and opposition suppression."

As for the reopening of educational institutions, she said: "Currently, traffic police are absent, and students are managing traffic. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that schools will open immediately.”

“We will consult with the teaching community and aim to reopen educational institutions as soon as possible while ensuring alignment with law and order."

Asked about the activities of the judiciary, she said: "The law, justice and parliamentary affairs advisor has been given the responsibility.”

“He will talk to senior lawyers and take measures to initiate judicial proceedings promptly."

She also said leadership changes are needed to reactivate the financial sectors, and efforts will be made to implement these changes without delay.

In response to a question about actions against corruption, Rizwana said: "They fought for system change. Therefore, steps will definitely be taken against corruption.”

“Most of [Friday’s] discussions were focused on law and order and financial matters."

Talking about justice for the victims of the quota reform movement, she said: "We will ensure transparent justice for each incident, and we are considering ways to prevent such occurrences in the future.”

“We will meet the families of the students who lost their lives and arrange medical care for the injured," she added.

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

Western countries have wasted no time to welcome the new government led by Yunus.

The United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and various other countries, organisations, and alliances have all expressed their readiness to work with the new government and offered assistance to Bangladesh.

India, which has maintained good relations with the Awami League government, has also voiced its support.

Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain said, “We will maintain relationships with all countries and need to balance our ties with major nations.”

[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi, Fariha Bristy, and Ruhshabah Tabassum Huda]