Law and order has seen 'historic improvement' compared to past 10-15 years: Home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has claimed that Bangladesh's law and order situation has seen a "historic improvement" compared with the last 10-15 years, particularly 2025.

"After the current government assumed office, we are in a historically improved position in most indicators," he told parliament today (30 June) during the discussion on the home ministry's proposed allocation for FY2026-27.

The ministry's allocation of Tk31,098.88 crore was later passed by voice vote.

The home minister said visible progress had been made in most crime indicators, although the number of rape cases had increased slightly.

Explaining the rise in rape cases, he said many survivors earlier did not go to police stations to file cases because of social, political and other barriers.

"Now, they can file GDs online and FIRs more easily by going to police stations. There is no barrier. That is why the number has increased," he said.

Responding to criticism over the law and order situation, Salahuddin said he had presented category-wise crime statistics in parliament earlier.

The minister also claimed progress in ensuring speedy trials in cases involving violence against women and children.

He said accused persons in the long-pending Tonu murder case had been identified and arrested based on DNA reports.

Salahuddin said police were not arresting anyone based on political identity.

"An offender is being treated as an offender. We will not give priority to any political identity in improving the law and order situation," he said.

The minister said the Department of Narcotics Control was being developed as a self-sufficient department with dog squads, modern laboratories, trained personnel and technology-based equipment.

He said drug dealers are often armed, making it necessary to increase the capacity of officials concerned.

Salahuddin also said the government was taking technology-based measures to tackle online gambling and cybercrime.

He said an initiative was underway to replace the 1867 gambling law with a modern law.

Earlier, Brahmanbaria-2 independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana moved a cut motion on the Home Ministry's proposed allocation for FY2026-27.

Citing figures on murder, mugging, robbery, violence against women and children, and other crimes, she questioned the law and order situation.

Rumeen said 605 murders were recorded across the country in March and April. During the same period, she said 294 incidents of mugging, 90 robberies, 196 abductions, 2,214 thefts and 129 attacks on police were recorded.

She said 3,496 cases of violence against women and children were recorded in the two months.

Citing a report by a national daily, Rumeen said more than 10 murders were taking place across the country every day on average.

"At a time when this is the state of law and order and public security, we are seeking Tk31,098 crore for this ministry," Rumeen said, adding that even if the entire budget were allocated to the home ministry, it was uncertain how much improvement the ministry would achieve.

She said the home minister's speeches were widely followed, adding that she also listened to his debates with interest.

"But if he could spread that appeal across his ministry, I would not have proposed reducing the allocation to Tk1," she said.

In response, the home minister said he was "grateful" to know that Rumeen listened to his speeches with interest.

"I had presented category-wise statistics in parliament the day before yesterday on how the law and order situation has improved. Perhaps you could not hear that speech that day," he said.

After the discussion, cut motions moved by lawmakers were rejected by voice vote, and the proposed allocation for the home ministry was approved.