Mugging surge in Dhaka: Rising deaths, public fear, and police struggles

The Report Desk

Published: December 22, 2024, 02:38 PM

Mugging surge in Dhaka: Rising deaths, public fear, and police struggles

Source: Collected

Over the past week, four people have tragically lost their lives in Dhaka and Narayanganj after being attacked by muggers with knives. 

Meanwhile, three other individuals were beaten to death by angry mobs who suspected them of being muggers. 

Since August 5, there has been a noticeable decline in police actions, despite the government claiming that the situation is returning to normal. However, the public remains scared, and many are still asking questions about safety.

According to a report by Daily Samakal, this troubling rise in violent crime is linked to an incident last year, when a dentist and a police officer were murdered by muggers. 

Following these deaths, law enforcement acted by forming an "Anti-Mugging Taskforce" under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). 

This led to a temporary reduction in muggings, but the problem has returned, with criminals becoming more brazen.

On December 15, during a meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the Home Affairs Advisor, acknowledged the growing concern, stating, "Mugging has increased in the capital. To combat this, we need to step up police patrols late at night when officers are more likely to become less alert. We’ve already given instructions to increase patrols during these late hours."

The report also noted that muggings are now happening not only on main roads but also in narrow lanes across Dhaka. 

The Mohammadpur and Uttara Airport roundabout areas, in particular, have seen frequent incidents. Law enforcement is struggling to keep up, even though the police are aware of approximately 7,000 muggers operating across the city. 

Many of these individuals have been involved in multiple criminal cases, with some facing over 10 charges. Despite being convicted, these criminals continue their illegal activities.

In response, the DMP has introduced new measures to curb the crime wave. 

Police are now patrolling 50 different police stations across the city every day, under the supervision of the Crime Division. 

Additionally, rather than sending arrested muggers through the usual court process, they are being sentenced immediately through mobile courts to prevent them from getting bail easily. 

The police are also working to track down any mugger who is granted bail to prevent them from returning to their criminal activities.

According to DMP statistics, between 2020 and November 2024, 1,410 mugging cases were filed. However, the actual number of incidents is believed to be much higher. 

Of these, 820 cases involved muggers fleeing after the crime, and 644 resulted in arrests. Mugging incidents have been steadily increasing, with more than 100 incidents reported between August and December of this year alone. 

During this time, 10 people were killed by muggers armed with knives in Dhaka.

A senior police officer told Samakal, "Most of the members of these mugging gangs are drug addicts. They commit these crimes because it’s an easy way to get money. 

Once they realize how easy it is to make money through mugging, they keep doing it. Even when arrested, they often get out and go right back to the same crimes. 

Some of them even have lawyers who help them get bail. Once they’re out, they pay their lawyers with the stolen money."

Yasin Arafat Khan, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Airport Police Station in Dhaka, shared, "Since August, we have arrested over 200 members of mugging gangs operating near the Airport roundabout. Most of them are sent to jail immediately after a review of their criminal records to prevent them from easily getting out."

Mugging Deaths and Victims

The Samakal report also mentioned several tragic deaths, including one on December 18, when a young man named Kamrul Hasan was fatally stabbed by muggers at the Sayyadabad section of Mayor Hanif Flyover. 

Earlier, on December 15, another young man, Habibullah, was murdered in Moghbazar. On the same day, a garment worker, Md. Rakib, was also stabbed to death. 

On December 12, university student Wazed Simanto was killed by muggers in Narayanganj. Simanto was a student at American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB).

Other incidents mentioned in the report include the murder of Russel Shikdar in Kuthubkhali on September 30, Mustakim Alif in Khilkhet on September 24, and Alamgir Bepari in Old Dhaka on September 16. 

The list of victims also includes Hoshim, a vegetable seller, and Sadekin, an auto-rickshaw driver, who were killed in separate incidents on the same day, September 3.

DMP spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman told Samakal, "We’ve increased patrols all over the city to prevent muggings. Multiple teams are actively working in high-risk areas, and we’ve also increased surveillance in mugging hotspots."

Mugging Gangs and Their Tactics

A recent analysis of data on nearly 1,000 muggers has revealed that many of them are young individuals who come from vulnerable backgrounds.

Various gangs operate throughout Dhaka, with areas like Bangshal, Tantibazar, and Fulbaria Bus Stand under the control of Kohinur Begum Mala and a few local individuals. 

These gangs have a system where stolen items are handed over to their leaders. Reports indicate that staying in this criminal trade for long is difficult without the protection of a larger syndicate. 

Those who start by working alone eventually join a group, which offers them advantages, such as easier bail.

 

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