Mohammadpur unrest fueled by foreign influence

Hasan-uz-Zaman 

Farhad Hossain, a member of the capital’s Mohammadpur based teenage gang called Patali Group, was recently killed by rivals using gunfire and machetes. He was killed in Arshinagar in Keraniganj, but the real target of the killers was control of the Rayerbazar area.

Before this incident could settle down, last Thursday at dawn a businessman named Mr. Hridoy Mia, age 25, was attacked by muggers with machetes in Mohammadpur. The attackers slashed him and took his motorcycle along with 20,000 taka in cash.

Recently, criminals also stormed a developer’s office in Nabinagar Housing and demanded one crore taka in extortion money. Video of that incident spread widely on social media. Police carry out operations every day, and six criminals have been arrested so far, with weapons also recovered. Yet the overall situation in Mohammadpur remains unsettled.

DMP Commissioner Mr. Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has claimed that every crime hotspot in Mohammadpur has been identified, and that police units are carrying out joint and coordinated operations there. However, little real progress seems to be happening on the ground.

The truth is that the law and order situation in Mohammadpur has caused deep concern among ordinary citizens and civic minded people. Drug activity, mugging, extortion and teenage gang violence have all risen sharply in the area. Locals say multiple groups are working behind the scenes to make the security situation worse.

Most of these groups are said to be controlled by associates of the fallen Awami League and its fascist allies. These groups are reportedly using criminals to create instability and political unrest for their own benefit. Taking advantage of weak policing, old criminal networks have become active again, joined by new criminals seeking to expand control over the area.

Some local leaders from the ruling party are said to be indirectly or directly supporting these networks, and large syndicates involved in the drug trade are helping keep them running. Remarkably, most of the people directing these networks and supplying weapons and money are reportedly living outside the country.

They stay safe abroad while pushing young teenagers and youths into danger at home. They are currently funding efforts to stir political instability. Criminals based abroad have reportedly joined hands with associates of fugitive fascists both inside and outside the country.

To understand the root of the repeated crime incidents in Mohammadpur, this reporter spoke with local residents, victims and officials. Local residents say that for seventeen long years under Awami fascist rule, the entire Mohammadpur area was controlled by an Awami affiliated criminal network with the help of the administration. Although there were rival factions and disputes among them, they generally worked together to control crime and territory in the area.

After the political change, the fascists fled the country, and known criminals went into hiding along with them. On the government’s list of top criminals in Adabor is the name Mr. Nabi Ullah Nabi. He reportedly controlled a large part of the criminal network across all of Mohammadpur.

He is said to have close ties with senior Dhaka north and south leaders of the Awami League and its youth wing, the Jubo League. Although Mr. Nabi Ullah Nabi is currently in India, he reportedly still maintains influence at home, allegedly creating unrest on instructions from the fascists.

He was originally a resident of Adabor, which is why he holds strong control over that area, backed by a large criminal group. Another figure known as a killer is Mr. Pappu, currently based in Malaysia. His second in command is reportedly Mr. Mazharul Islam Rasel, who sources say has also recently traveled to Malaysia, apparently for consultations.

A cadre killer named Mr. Jasim, allegedly raised by former MP Mr. Nixon Chowdhury and known as the terror of Bhanga, has reportedly built his own criminal network. Members of his group, named as Mr. Hridoy, Mr. Hannan and Mr. Lallu, are said to be trying to destabilize the area further.

Fugitive former members of the Chhatra League and Jubo League, including a figure named Mr. Tuhin, had been in hiding but are now reportedly seen moving openly in different parts of Adabor. They are said to regularly meet at homes of Awami League supporters in the area, allegedly planning acts of sabotage there. The Nabi group is accused of sheltering them.

According to locals, the entire Mohammadpur area is still effectively controlled by old Awami League leaders. Extortion activities are said to continue under their direction, even though some new faces have appeared for strategic reasons. Several leaders and activists from ruling party affiliated organizations have already been expelled from the party for alleged involvement in extortion.

These individuals were reportedly used by fugitive Awami League leaders. Several crore taka are said to be extorted from various establishments in Mohammadpur each year, with a large portion allegedly sent abroad to a figure known as Mr. Captain Emon.

These criminal groups in Mohammadpur operate under different names as teenage gangs. Following law enforcement crackdowns triggered by various crimes in Mohammadpur, many have reportedly taken shelter in nearby Keraniganj, fleeing the area right after committing crimes. A recent gang dispute originating in Mohammadpur reportedly led to a killing in Keraniganj.

Another criminal figure named Mr. Kailla Faruk faces multiple allegations, including demanding extortion from gas cylinder traders in Basila, holding Steadfast Courier Service officials hostage for money in Chandipur, demanding extortion from businesses in Mohammadpur’s 40 Feet area, sheltering young muggers near Basila Bridge, forcibly grabbing land for sand filling, and acting as a godfather figure protecting drug traffickers.

He faces four cases at Mohammadpur police station involving drugs, rioting, serious injury, forced extortion, attempted murder and intimidation. He was reportedly present during an attack on Steadfast Courier Service staff and police.

Known in Mohammadpur and Keraniganj as a notorious extortionist and drug trafficking godfather, Mr. Faruk, alias Kailla Faruk, was arrested yesterday by a special team from SRB 2 along with a foreign made pistol, a magazine and a machete. His associate, Mr. Md. Ismail Hossain Dalim, was also arrested at the same time. A 9mm foreign pistol, one magazine and one machete were seized from them.

Commenting on the arrest, SRB commander Mr. Noyamul Hasan said that Mr. Kailla Faruk is considered a godfather among drug traffickers. He added that SRB will continue operations to bring to justice those involved in extortion, terrorism and spreading fear among the public.