Is Political Violence Rearing Its Ugly Head Once Again?

The recurring incidents of public and private transport being set ablaze in Bangladesh have raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the country's law enforcement agencies and the overall state of law and order. Whether occurring during political demonstrations, periods of unrest, or confrontations between rival groups, the deliberate burning of buses, trucks, private cars, and other vehicles represents a disturbing pattern of violence that threatens public safety, economic stability, and citizens' confidence in state institutions. Such incidents are not merely acts of property destruction; they expose troubling weaknesses in crime prevention, intelligence gathering, accountability, and the protection of ordinary people.

Public transportation is an essential component of Bangladesh's economic and social life. Thousands of people depend on buses, minibuses, trains, and other vehicles to commute to workplaces, educational institutions, hospitals, and commercial centers. When transports are torched, passengers face uncertainty, businesses suffer financial losses, and daily activities are disrupted. Transport workers, drivers, conductors, and vehicle owners often bear the immediate consequences, while ordinary citizens pay the broader economic and social price. The situation becomes particularly alarming when passengers and drivers are trapped inside burning vehicles, turning political or criminal violence into a direct threat to human life.

The most pressing question is why such incidents continue despite repeated assurances of enhanced security and strict legal action. Law enforcement agencies are expected to maintain public order, identify potential threats, prevent violence, and bring perpetrators to justice. However, the recurrence of transport arson raises questions about whether existing security arrangements are adequate. Are vulnerable roads and transportation hubs being properly monitored? Are credible intelligence reports being acted upon? Are investigations identifying the actual perpetrators, including those who organize or finance such attacks, rather than merely apprehending individuals at the scene?

Political polarization further complicates the situation. When violence becomes an instrument of political pressure, public transportation can become an unfortunate target. Nevertheless, no political justification can legitimize arson, intimidation, or attacks on innocent citizens. Law enforcement must remain professionally neutral and enforce the law without political discrimination. Selective investigations or politically motivated accusations can undermine public trust and allow actual offenders to escape accountability.

The government must strengthen preventive policing, improve emergency response systems, ensure transparent investigations, and provide appropriate compensation to victims. Transport owners and workers should also receive effective security support during periods of heightened tension.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of law and order cannot be measured by official statements, arrest figures, or temporary security deployments. It must be demonstrated through citizens' everyday experience of safety. Bangladesh needs a justice system that punishes perpetrators impartially and a law enforcement structure capable of preventing violence before lives and livelihoods are destroyed. Unless transport arson is addressed through accountability, institutional professionalism, and political responsibility, the flames consuming vehicles will continue to expose deeper weaknesses in the country's public security framework.

PR Biswas is a 
Senior Staff Correspondent at The Asian Age.