Killings and Violence Continue Unabated in Khulna: Jubo Dal Leader Shot During IGP’s Visit

Abu Hena Mukti

The peaceful city of Khulna now looks like a safe haven for criminals. Every day, terror incidents such as murder, gunfire, kidnapping and extortion take place here. It looks like a bloody game. Even with the watch of law enforcement forces and frequent visits by VIPs, the march of deaths does not stop. A shocking double murder took place a few days ago.

Before that shock faded, a Jubo Dal leader was shot yesterday by criminals in Terokhada. It happened while IGP Mr. Ali Hossain Fakir and other senior officials were visiting Khulna. The leader is now fighting for his life in a critical state. These bloody events one after another have spread deep fear and anger across the whole Khulna region.

According to sources, Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman was in Khulna a few days ago to join various programs. Within the circle of administrative and political security, criminals shot and killed two people in public in the city within just 14 hours. The killings happened in broad daylight with no care for the security of a VIP visit. People are asking many questions about the role of law enforcement.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other senior law enforcement officials came to Khulna yesterday. They came to review the situation after the double murder and to strengthen overall security. But before the mood of that visit passed, criminals attacked Mr. Ramim Biswas (32), a ward level leader of the Jubo Dal, in Terokhada upazila of Khulna.

Eyewitnesses and police sources say criminals fired at Mr. Ramim Biswas with a firearm in Terokhada. The bullet hit his rib. Locals rescued him in a critical state and sent him to Khulna Medical College Hospital.

Earlier, a few days ago, in the early morning, a young man named Mr. Tushar (27) was shot dead by criminals in front of Khademul Uloom Madrasa in East Baniakhamar of the city. Police say Mr. Tushar was an active member of the group of a top terrorist of Khulna who is in jail. They say he faced drug and arms cases. Police first suspect he was killed over a dispute about dominance and the drug trade with a rival group.

Before the shock of that murder faded, a woman named Ms. Khushi Begum (24) was killed the same evening. It happened in front of the Tower Lane on Road No. 7 in Jinnahpara of Lobonchora police station area. Eyewitnesses say criminals were waiting for her. They shot her in the head right after she left home and then hacked her with sharp weapons before fleeing.

Ms. Khushi’s husband, Mr. Suman, also known as “Blade Babu,” and his family also face allegations of involvement in the drug trade. Police believe a drug related dispute may also be behind this murder.

Meanwhile, ordinary people in Khulna live in deep insecurity because of continuous murders, attacks and shows of firearms. Local concerned people say the reckless acts of criminals, even in the presence of VIPs and top police officers, show how terrible their terror has become in the district. Citizen leader Mr. Abdul Halim voiced deep concern over the sharp decline in law and order in Khulna.

He said Khulna may face an even bigger human crisis if strict and visible joint operations are not carried out right away. He said illegal arms must be recovered and godfathers brought under the law. Mr. Ashraful Islam, President of the Greater Khulna Development Coordination Committee and a citizen leader, spoke to Inqilab. He said crime has grown far beyond limits, but the police stay limited to a few token operations and shows for the public.

He said criminals roam openly and show off their weapons, yet the main godfathers and the businessmen behind them remain out of reach. City residents have expressed strong anger over the decline in law and order caused by such reckless acts of terrorists and drug dealers. Mr. Sardar Abu Taher, General Secretary of the Khulna Metropolitan unit of the SAARC Human Rights Foundation, spoke to Inqilab.

He said crime is not stopping despite police operations, and questions are growing about why the main godfathers behind it remain out of reach. After one killing after another, people in Khulna are asking how much more blood must be shed before this march of deaths stops.

The crime graph is now rising across Khulna city and the district. According to law enforcement data, murders continue one after another in Khulna. About 72 murders have been recorded in Khulna city and the district this year. Of these, 37 people died in Khulna city alone. From small arguments to big crimes, the habit of using weapons and firing in public has grown. As a result, people’s normal lives are disrupted day by day and public insecurity has reached its peak.

District Superintendent of Police Mr. Sardar Omar Faruque spoke to Inqilab about the law and order situation in Khulna. He said, “We are taking these crimes, one after another, very seriously. The police are active in the field to stop criminals. Those involved will be arrested quickly and legal action will be taken.”