CRIMES AND DISASTER: A SCENARIO OF THE COASTAL REGION OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Bangladesh is a land of natural hazards. One of such natural calamities that strikes Bangladesh frequently is severe storm and cyclone often accompanied by storm surge. Due to frequent cyclones, life in the coastal zone is unsettled, disturbed. Land and property are destroyed. The occurrence of crime linkage with the natural calamities that play havoc with lives and properties of people in the coastal regions of the country. Till now no separate research has been done on the crimes committed as a result of the disaster in the coastal zones of Bangladesh. So, this research would be important as it will shed light on an aspect that has hither to been ignored for the coastal regions of Bangladesh. The main aim of this research is to explore the relationship between crimes and disaster in the cyclone-prone coastal region of Bangladesh. Variation of crimes in terms space and time induced by disaster is also associated with the objectives of the study. The coastal districts where various types of crimes are committed and criminal activities carried on and it is for these reasons that this coastal area (exclusive coastal area) has been selected for study. To meet the objectives of the study detailed field level investigations have been conducted in the study area. Extensive use of secondary material has also be made. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire survey among the people of the coastal area. The secondary data was also collected from the various organizations dealing with crime like Police departments, Print media, Electronic media and so on. On the other hand, disaster like cyclone related data were collected from the department of Weather under the ministry of Defense. Different statistical methods to analyze data and GIS techniques for mapping have been used to study the prevailing situation and to suggest probable mitigating measures. From the qualitative and quantitative approach used in the questionnaire survey, some natural disasters like cyclone, tidal surge, flood, salinity intrusion, river bank erosion, earthquake and water logging etc. are also known as common hazards from the perception of respondents in the survey that induce crimes like theft, murder, burglary, robbery, rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, smuggling corruption in relief goods, tendering, dacoity, riot, molestation etc. in the coastal area of Bangladesh. So, there is a positive relation between crimes and disaster that was determined by the correlation analysis. As the coastal area of Bangladesh is not free from crimes and disaster, mitigation of disaster as well as control of crimes is a burning issue of the coastal area of Bangladesh. For future planning and better development in the coastal areas of Bangladesh, more advanced and further research in the micro level would be more significant.