Tanzina Fardoush
Judge Court, Dhaka, Bangladesh
In a recent report published in a national daily, the Home Minister’s remarks announcing a coordinated nationwide crackdown on gambling, online gambling and drugs mark a significant turning point in Bangladesh’s law and order and social reality. In particular, the ‘zero tolerance’ , the reiteration of the ‘zero-tolerance’ policy, a tough stance on closing ‘sisha lounges’, and the strengthening of intelligence surveillance all point to a major operation on the horizon. However, questions and analyses are emerging regarding the implementation of this announcement, its challenges, and potential impacts, which demand a more in-depth discussion.
According to reports, although operations have been conducted on multiple occasions in the past, these illegal activities have been reinstated under the patronage of influential circles. Consequently, it has become imperative to adopt a sustainable strategy that integrates law enforcement, accountability, social rehabilitation, and economic alternatives, rather than merely conducting raids.
Against this backdrop, several key questions are posed below, which are equally pertinent for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and civil society.
1. How effective can the government’s declared ‘zero-tolerance’ policy be in practice, and what lessons should be learnt from past failures?
2. Is administrative weakness or political influence more to blame for the emergence of illegal lead lounges and drug spots operating under the guise of upmarket restaurants and cafés?
3. What kind of social, psychological, and economic impact is the spread of online gambling and drugs having on the nation’s youth?
4. Despite repeated raids, why are these illegal businesses not being shut down, and to what extent could intensified intelligence surveillance provide a lasting solution?
5. If any members of the law enforcement agencies are involved in such illegal activities, what form of accountability and punitive measures would be most effective against them?
6. If illegal ‘sisa lounges’ and drug businesses are shut down, how can alternative livelihoods be ensured for those employed there, and does the government have any rehabilitation or employment schemes in this regard?
7. What kind of social or economic initiatives are needed to bring those who have long been dependent on illegal businesses back onto a path of legitimate income?
8. If mobile courts or law enforcement officers are obstructed, insulted, or attacked by local elected representatives or influential groups while conducting raids, what effective measures will the government take to protect their safety and dignity?
9. How can the tendency for political or local influence to be exerted on the administration during law enforcement be controlled, and what are the ways to ensure accountability in this regard?
10. What should the government’s strategy be to identify, expose, and bring to justice the ‘godfathers’ or the main controllers behind these widespread illegal businesses across the country?
11. How crucial is it to conduct integrated investigations that target not just the ground-level operations, but also the sources of funding, money laundering, and the dismantling of influential networks?
12. How can the participation of the media, civil society, and the general public be more effectively utilised to ensure the success of such operations?
A consideration of these questions reveals several key points:a. Policy declaration versus practical implementation –
a.To make ‘zero tolerance’ effective, regular monitoring, independent investigations, and political will are essential, not just operations. Past failures have largely been due to a lack of continuity and the influence of powerful groups.
b. Breaking up influential networks is the biggest challenge – While minor operatives are often arrested during raids, the main controllers frequently remain beyond reach. Therefore, alongside intelligence surveillance, it is crucial to scrutinise financial transactions and sources of wealth.
c. The risks to young people and social impact- Online gambling and drug use are not just criminal activities; they also damage mental health, family relationships, and economic stability. Awareness and rehabilitation must be implemented simultaneously.
d. Alternative livelihoods and rehabilitation are essential – Abruptly severing those working in the illegal sector can lead to their re-offending. Therefore, it is crucial to provide vocational training, micro-loans, and opportunities for legitimate employment.
e. Protection and accountability for law enforcement – If officers on the ground feel insecure, the operation will not be effective. At the same time, ensuring swift and visible punishment if any member is involved restores confidence.
f. A sustainable solution is impossible without public engagement- The operation will not be successful in the long term unless the media, civil society, and the general public are involved. Information sharing, public awareness, and social pressure can all play a crucial role.
An effective solution to this problem is not possible with field-level operations alone; rather, a multi-dimensional, evidence-based, and accountable policy must be adopted. For instance, financial intelligence surveillance, i.e., ‘Follow the Money’. The most effective way to identify the godfathers is to trace the flow of money. Establishing special taskforces to track suspicious bank transactions, hawala, and money laundering, and exchanging information with banks, mobile financial services, and international organisations. The transparency and accuracy of processes such as verifying the source of wealth and confiscating undeclared assets must be ensured, and the correct procedures must be applied in the proper sequence.
It is imperative to establish an integrated intelligence task force, comprising the police, the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Anti-Corruption Commission and intelligence agencies. Furthermore, a single digital platform for information sharing, joint operations to dismantle large networks, and central-level oversight beyond local administrations are required.
The reality of witness protection and whistleblower policies must be properly reviewed. Ordinary people or those involved are afraid to provide information against godfathers. It is essential to ensure the security and legal protection of confidential informants, introduce a reward-based system for information, guarantee swift action against threats or retaliatory attacks, and make this process effective by earning public trust.
Through public accountability and transparency, it is crucial not only to make arrests but also to disclose information to the public. After major operations, it is absolutely essential to provide regular briefings on the investigation’s progress, publish the actions taken against accused influential individuals, and ensure a swift judicial process.
Although it may seem daunting at first glance, the necessity of politically impartial law enforcement can no longer be ignored. The most crucial factor for the success of any policy is political neutrality. Treating any political or administrative interference as a punishable offence,
The establishment of a high-level independent oversight committee and clear guidelines to prevent external pressure on law enforcement agencies are urgently required.
The transparency, accuracy, and effectiveness of technology-driven surveillance and data analytics must be ensured.
Using AI and data analysis to identify online gambling platforms and digital transactions, mapping suspicious networks to pinpoint key controllers, and strengthening the cyber unit would be effective initial steps towards this end.
Bringing the ‘godfathers’ to justice means not merely arresting a few individuals, but dismantling the entire criminal network’s economic, social and influential structure. This requires political will, technology-driven investigations, strict accountability, public engagement. The coordination of these four pillars. If such policies are implemented, the operation can become not just an immediate success but a lasting solution in the long term.
The operation announced by the Home Secretary is undoubtedly an important initiative. However, its success will depend on the sincerity, transparency, and coordinated strategy with which it is implemented. Only a combined effort of operations, accountability, rehabilitation, and dismantling networks can provide a lasting solution to this problem.
