Mohammadpur: As evening falls, gangs begin recce amid residents' moving elsewhere
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Mohammadpur in the capital has become a vast empire of crime. Brutal incidents—from public stabbings and shootings to the gruesome dismemberment of bodies—are occurring regularly. In the heart of a city like Dhaka, this is a terrifying reality. As soon as evening falls, local weapons are openly flaunted. Neither ordinary citizens nor law enforcement agencies are safe from their attacks. Many are leaving the area in fear, while others are reluctant to rent homes there.
Social media is flooded with daily protests and criticism over the crimes in Mohammadpur. Yet the crime rate refuses to subside. Residents blame police weakness for this situation. Even after witnessing such public brutality, what are the police or law enforcement agencies doing? This question is repeatedly raised. However, police argue that curbing crime in a densely populated area is challenging, and they themselves have become targets of attacks. Despite daily operations and arrests, crime continues unabated. Police also claim that incidents from neighboring police stations are sometimes falsely attributed to Mohammadpur.
According to crime experts, while criminals are being arrested, they are easily securing bail under existing laws and getting involved in crime again. They also wield political influence. Experts suggest that such influence must be bypassed, and criminals should be treated purely as criminals when making arrests.
On 23 July, miscreants stabbed a police sub-inspector in Kaderabad Housing in Mohammadpur and fled. Osman Goni, a police officer working at immigration at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, received 43 stitches on his back from the knife wound. Earlier, in the Rayerbazar Itkhola area, a young man named Asadul was called out from his home and hacked to death. Not just police or ordinary citizens—clashes between rival youth gangs also occur regularly.
Local residents allege that they face trouble when they approach law enforcement. Those against whom complaints are filed are arrested by police, but after a few days they are released on bail and then attack the complainants.
Local sources say that in Mohammadpur, people of all ages are gang members. Children, teenagers, and young adults get drawn into drug dealing before they even realize it. Local weapons easily end up in their hands. For these reasons, Mohammadpur has turned into a "crime hotspot." Having become a haven for crime, many are leaving the area altogether.
According to law enforcement reports, there are 16 active teenage gangs operating under the jurisdiction of Mohammadpur police station. However, locals believe the actual number is closer to fifty. Beyond these, every alley in central Mohammadpur has multiple gangs of children and teenagers.
Locals have identified several areas with a heavy presence of youth gangs, including Dhaka Udyan, Chand Udyan, the Three Road intersection to Rayerbazar, Bashila 40 Feet, Pulpar Bot-tala, Bashila Garden City, Ekta Housing, Naboday Housing, Boat Ghat, Sadek Khan Road, and the Sluicegate area. In particular, groups such as the Patali Group, Daila Group, Lara De Group, Level High Group, Army Alamgir Group, Gangchil Group, Nabi Group, Diamond, and De Dhakka Group have long been sources of terror.
Anonymous gang member reveals political backing; police set up new camp
A member of a youth gang, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Agamir Samay that Rayerbazar, Chandrima, Bashila, Model Town, and Dhaka Udyan in Mohammadpur have the highest concentration of youth gangs. Over any issue—big or small—these gangs stage their rehearsals in the area. Behind these gangs are political leaders and top-tier criminals, the source claimed.
Police identify manpower shortage as a major factor in their struggle to curb crime in Mohammadpur. Jewel Rana, Additional Commissioner of the DMP's Tejgaon Division (Mohammadpur Zone), told Agamir Samay, "The area is densely populated and home to many low-income residents. Controlling and suppressing crime in such an urban setting with a limited number of police officers is challenging. However, there is no lack of effort on the part of the police."
Dr. Touhidul Haque, Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, and a crime expert, believes that law enforcement failures and inefficiencies are responsible for Mohammadpur becoming crime-prone. In his view, "Involvement of the Bihari community in various crimes and the presence of marginalized populations living at low cost in this area contribute to higher crime rates." He also opined that those tasked with controlling criminals often become their protectors.
Officially, there are 16 listed youth gangs in Mohammadpur. However, locals claim there are nearly fifty, most of whom are unknown to law enforcement. Facing manpower shortages and various obstacles, police feel helpless in suppressing crime. According to law enforcement, they do arrest suspects whenever crimes occur.
Recently, RAB stated at a press conference that in the post-5 August 2024 period, approximately 1,500 criminals were caught by RAB alone from the Mohammadpur area. Many of them, after securing bail, have returned to criminal activities.
To bring the situation in Mohammadpur under control, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has now established a police camp in Bashila. Through 24-hour patrols, block raids, and checkposts from this camp, police hope to curb crime. Md. Fazlul Karim, Second-in-Command of DMP's Tejgaon Division, said, "A temporary police camp has been set up in Bashila with 40 members and 66 members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) on duty. Separate personnel and vehicles have been allocated here. We are hopeful that we will be able to bring the crime situation in the area under control."
