Who will rein in crime in Mohammadpur?

Although Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh, Mohammadpur is widely known as the country’s crime capital. Public machete attacks, fatal shootings, dismemberment of victims, and displays of locally made weapons after dusk have become common occurrences in the area. Not only ordinary residents but also members of law enforcement have come under attack by criminals.

Residents of Mohammadpur blame police weakness for allowing the area to become a haven for crime. Police, however, argue that controlling crime in such a densely populated neighborhood is extremely challenging and that officers themselves are frequently attacked. Despite daily operations and arrests, crime has not declined. Police also claim that incidents occurring in neighboring police station jurisdictions are often reported as crimes committed within Mohammadpur Police Station’s area.

Crime experts, however, say that although criminals are arrested, they easily obtain bail under the country’s existing laws and become involved in crime again. They argue that offenders must be treated solely as criminals regardless of political influence and arrested accordingly.

On July 23, assailants stabbed a police sub inspector in Kaderabad Housing in Mohammadpur before fleeing the scene. Police member Osman Gani, who works at the immigration department of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, received 43 stitches in his back after the stabbing. Earlier, a young man named Asadul was hacked to death after being lured out of his home in the Itkhola area of Rayerbazar. Clashes between rival juvenile gang groups also occur regularly, affecting not only police and ordinary people but gang members themselves.

Residents allege that they face even greater danger after seeking help from law enforcement. They say those accused are arrested by police but later secure bail and return to attack the complainants.

Local sources say that people of all ages in Mohammadpur are involved in gangs. Children, teenagers, and young adults become involved in drug trafficking before they fully understand the consequences. Locally made weapons are easily available to them. As a result, Mohammadpur has become a crime hotspot. Many residents are leaving the area because it has turned into what they describe as a paradise for criminals.

According to law enforcement reports, there are 16 active juvenile gangs operating under Mohammadpur Police Station. Local residents, however, estimate that the actual number is around 50. They also say that nearly every alley in central Mohammadpur has multiple gangs made up of children and teenagers.

Residents said juvenile gangs have a strong presence in Dhaka Uddan, Chand Uddan, Three Road Intersection, Rayerbazar, Bosila 40 Feet, Pulpar Bottola, Bosila Garden City, Ekota Housing, Nabodoy Housing, Boat Ghat, Sadek Khan Road, and the Sluice Gate area. In particular, the Patali Group, Daila Group, Lara De Group, Level High Group, Army Alamgir Group, Gangchil Group, Nabi Group, Diamond Group, and De Dhakka Group have long been associated with fear in the locality.

On condition of anonymity, a member of a juvenile gang told Agamir Somoy that Rayerbazar, Chandrima, Bosila, Model Town, and Dhaka Uddan have the highest concentration of juvenile gangs in Mohammadpur. According to the gang member, even minor disputes trigger gang displays in these areas. The source also claimed that political leaders and top criminals back these gangs.

Police say a shortage of personnel is one of the biggest obstacles to controlling crime in Mohammadpur. Jewel Rana, Additional Commissioner of the Tejgaon Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Mohammadpur Zone, told Agamir Somoy, “Here, with such a densely populated area and a city where many low income people live, it is difficult to control and suppress crime with a limited number of police officers. However, there has been no lack of effort on the part of the police.”

Dr. Towhidul Haque, Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at the University of Dhaka and a crime and society expert, blamed the failure and inefficiency of law enforcement agencies for Mohammadpur’s high crime rate. According to him, “There are three factors behind this area’s high crime rate. First, Biharis live here and are used to carry out various crimes. Second, Mohammadpur is home to marginalized communities where living costs are relatively low. Criminals take advantage of this by living here in greater numbers and committing crimes. Third, those responsible for controlling criminals become their protectors.”

Mohammadpur is widely known as the crime capital. Although authorities have officially listed 16 juvenile gangs, local residents claim there are around 50. They say law enforcement lacks information on most of them. Police acknowledge that a shortage of personnel and other obstacles have made crime control difficult. According to law enforcement, suspects are arrested whenever crimes occur.

At a recent press conference, the Rapid Action Battalion said that since August 5, 2024, nearly 1,500 criminals have been arrested by RAB from Mohammadpur alone. Many of them, however, later secured bail through what the force described as “legal loopholes” and returned to criminal activities. According to RAB, those arrested included drug dealers, muggers, and members of juvenile gangs operating in Mohammadpur. The force said they returned to crime after being released through legal loopholes.

To improve the law and order situation in Mohammadpur, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has recently established a police camp in Bosila. Police hope to curb crime through round the clock patrols, block raids, and checkpoints operated from the camp. Md. Fazlul Karim, Second in Command of the Tejgaon Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, “Forty police personnel and 66 members of the Armed Police Battalion are serving at the temporary police camp in Bosila. Separate personnel and vehicles have been allocated here. We hope we will be able to bring the area’s crime situation under control.”