Photo : Messenger
The Mirpur area in capital Dhaka has seen an alarming rise in teen gang violence, with locals saying they live in fear.
There are at least 25 such gangs with nearly 500 members in Mirpur. They are involved in a wide range of crimes, including extortion, mugging, brawls over trivial matters, and even killing, according to intelligence information.
The gangs have also been involved in killings in broad daylight with sharp weapons. Even police operations have not been that fruitful in reining in the spread of the gang culture in the area.
Mohammad Jasim Uddin Mollah, deputy commissioner of Mirpur division under Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, “Our operations to arrest teen gang members are going on. Their backers will also be brought to book.”
Rasel and his friend Rashed were travelling by an auto-rickshaw in Mirpur 11 at around 7pm on 16 March. 10-12 members of Sani group made the duo get off the vehicle and hacked them indiscriminately with sharp weapons.
The victims started running to save their lives, but Rasel succumbed to his injuries at one point. The gruesome attack was caught on CCTV camera. 11 people, including Rabbi, Galkata Palash, Kallu, Nata Shaheen, Murad, and Kana Akash, took part in the attack.
Deputy Commissioner Jasim said police were working to bring all those involved in the attack to book.
Khandaker Al Moin, director of the legal and media wing of RAB, said, “Criminal Galkata Rabbi and Akash terrorist group were involved in the killing of Rasel. They patronise the gang culture. They are under our watch. We can bring them to book any time.”
According to the information provided by intelligence agencies, the largest number of teen gangs in the capital operate in Mirpur and Pallabi. The names of local councillors and leaders of the ruling party have surfaced as patrons of the gangs. Criminals living abroad have also been said to be behind some gangs.
In 2021, teen gang leader Suman and his cohorts hacked a young man named Shahinuddin to death in front of the latter’s child in Mirpur 11. He is now out on bail and has started committing crimes again. In the last two weeks, six people were injured in attacks made by his gang members.
Locals said land grabbing is going on in Mirpur 11 under the direction of Khalil alias Kasai Khalil. He is known as the biggest backer of teen gangs. Terrorist Sahidul leads another gang in Bauniabadh. Several other gangs, including Bhai group, Opu Group, Abbas Group, Sohel group, Sagor group, and Joy group, have also become reckless in Mirpur and Pallabi, locals claimed.
The members of Bhaira De group in Pallabi led by Ashiq stab people over insignificant matters, said locals. They are involved in extortion, mugging, drug trade, and land grabbing. Several cases have been filed against Ashiq and his gang members.
Ashiq’s cohorts recently attacked nine-year-old Siam in block E of section 11 in Pallabi. In this connection, Siam's father filed a complaint with Pallabi Police Station against 50 people, naming Ashiq and eight others.
Locals alleged teen gang members are becoming more desperate over time as well as receiving support from underworld criminals and politicians. They also claimed some dishonest policemen are directly and indirectly backing the gangs.
Md Tawohidul Haque, criminologist and an associate professor in the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at the University of Dhaka, told The Daily Messenger teen gangs are now active not only in Mirpur but also almost all over the country. He said families are not properly carrying out their duties in education, medical care, and other aspects of raising children.
“Anger and frustration are growing among teenagers as their proper socialisation is not being ensured. As these are not being addressed, they are getting involved in various types of crimes,” he added.
Harun-or-Rashid, additional commissioner of the detective branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The Daily Messenger, “We have already brought several teen gang members to book, and our operations continue. All those involved with such gangs, including their patrons, will be brought to book.”
Messenger/Fameema
