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Law enforcement agencies are currently engaged in an operation aimed at curbing the escalating presence of juvenile criminals in the neighborhood. Approximately 1000 juvenile offenders, organised into 52 groups, have been identified as targets. Raids are being conducted daily by various law enforcement units, including RAB, DB, and local police stations. This concerted effort is focused on preventing crimes such as murder, robbery, extortion, and other illicit activities perpetrated by these individuals during the Ramadan period.
In recent developments, over 100 arrests have been made following raids conducted in the Mohammadpur, Kamrangichar, and Uttara areas of Old Dhaka, which are identified as hotspots for juvenile gangs. These young delinquents, often referred to as 'kishore gangs', operate under various aliases and have established a notorious presence in the region.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), there are a total of 52 active 'Kishore gang' groups operating within the capital, comprising approximately 1,000 members. The DMP has compiled a comprehensive list of these gangs.
Among the eight crime divisions of the DMP, the Mirpur division exhibits the highest concentration of juvenile gangs, with 13 gangs and a total of 172 active members. Additionally, there are 6 active youth gangs in the Uttara Division, 7 in the Gulshan Division, 7 in the Tejgaon Division, 7 in the Ramna Division, 4 in the Motijheel Division, 2 in the Lalbagh Division, and 6 in the Wari Division.
Harun Or Rashid, Chief and Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Intelligence Police said, efforts are being made to eliminate juvenile crime through the operation. If the campaign continues, these teenagers will not have the courage to commit crimes. Also, the elder brothers who are known as shelter donors of these criminals will also be brought under the law.
In response to inquiries, authorities have acknowledged efforts to mitigate juvenile gang activities specifically during Ramadan. However, it's evident that the violence perpetrated by these gangs has reached alarming levels across various areas of the capital. These groups are implicated in heinous crimes such as murder, robbery, and drug-related offenses.
Members of these juvenile gangs have been linked to several high-profile murders in locations including Uttara, Dakshinkhan, Kamrangichar, and Mohammadpur in the capital. Notably, the recent arrest of a suspect involved in Mohammadpur's Suman murder case has underscored the association of these gangs with serious crimes. The murder of Adnan Kabir in Uttara has particularly captured public attention.
According to a police source, Uttara is home to one of the most active youth gangs in the area. These groups have adopted various names such as Big Boss, Power Boys, Disco Boys, Nine Star, Nine MM Boys, NNS, FHB, GU, Cakra, DHB, Black Rose, Rono, K Nine, Fifteen Gang, Potla Babu, Sujan, Fighter, Altaf Zero, Castle Boys, Viper, Toofan, Three Goal Gang, Shaheen Ripon Gang, Nazim Uddin Gang, Tala Chabi Gang, and others. Over the past six years, members of these juvenile gangs have been implicated in 10 murders within the Uttara area alone.
Moreover, ongoing operations have resulted in the arrest of over a hundred individuals involved in these gangs. On Thursday night, RAB-1 apprehended 37 members affiliated with various gangs, including the 007 Group, Baba Group, Jaura Group, Voltage Group, D Company, and Jahangir Group.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has highlighted that juvenile gangs have long been exerting their influence through intimidation tactics in the community. Their activities range from drug abuse and reckless motorcycle riding to instilling fear among the public, bullying in educational institutions, ragging, eve-teasing, rape, robbery, and dissemination of obscene content on social media. These actions are profoundly detrimental to the well-being of our future generations.
Expressing concern over these developments, Kudrat e Khuda Babu, a resident of Uttara and head of the law department at Daffodil University, questioned the values being imparted to the younger generation. While acknowledging the efforts of law enforcement agencies in combating juvenile gangs, he emphasised the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to address these issues effectively.
Society and crime specialist Dr Tauhidul Haque has pointed out that public representatives at various levels within neighborhoods sometimes become involved in the formation and manipulation of youth gangs for their own political or personal agendas. This exploitation of juveniles for nefarious purposes exacerbates the issue.
Commander Khandaker Al Moin, the director of RAB's legal and media wing, has expressed grave concern over the extent of crimes committed by teenagers, describing it as terrifying. He highlighted that teenagers are engaging in a wide range of criminal activities, including murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and various other offenses. RAB has taken proactive steps to raise public awareness through TV commercials and school exhibitions aimed at deterring individuals from involvement in criminal activities at a young age.
The RAB official emphasised that recent arrest operations are a response to the escalating activities of juvenile gangs. Over 70 arrests have been made in the past few days alone. Measures are being implemented to prevent these criminals from carrying out any illicit activities during the upcoming month of Ramadan.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to ensure that these offenders are brought to justice through due process.
Messenger/Fameema
