Social unrest on the rise during shutdown: study
Social unrest across the country has gradually increased during the lockdown period, a study on the socio-economic dynamics amid the Covid-19 crisis has found.
The findings of the study -- titled "Covid-19: Social unrest, protest, and conflicts in Bangladesh" -- was disclosed at an online seminar by Dr Mainul Islam, associate professor of political science at Dhaka University (DU).
The study sampled 1,416 incidents of socio-economic conflicts that took place in the country between March 10 and April 30.
A total of 347 of these incidents occurred in March, while another 1,069 were observed in April.
The incidents were recorded from a countrywide survey based on local newspaper and social media reports.
The first week of March saw only nine incidents, while the highest number of incidents – 383 -- took place in the last week of April, indicating a sharp rise of instances of conflict.
District-wise, Chattogram topped the tally with 6.29 percent of cases, while Sherpur has the least percentage (3.46) of cases.
Chattogram division has the highest percentage (20.55) of cases, while Sylhet has the least at 7.20 percent.
Exactly 21.45 percent of cases were related to irregularities and corruption in disbursing relief. Different forms of harassment cases were 9.76 percent, and the percentage of violent incidents, including physical conflict, were 9.62 percent.
Of these incidents, law enforcers were involved in 13.52 percent of cases, local administration 17.55 percent, supporters and activists of political parties 8.44 percent, village figureheads 7.52 percent and entrepreneurs 6.20 percent.
Among others, Dean of DU social science faculty Prof Sadeka Halim, IFES Country Director Silja Paasilinna and Prof Delwar Hossen of international relations department also spoke at the webinar.
The study was conducted in collaboration with International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) and UKAID.
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