‘We don’t mind murders, shooting, police anymore’

After the murder of BUET student Fardin Noor Parsh in November last year, the whole country was shaken by that. Chanpara became the talk of the town immediately. The area actually houses a rehabilitation centre located in Kayepara Union under Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj, not so far from the capital city. 

It was built in 1974 on the orders of Bangabandhu to rehabilitate crippled and indigent freedom fighters and veterans. It was expected that the settlement built over a large area would be blessed by the freedom fighters and their future generations. But on August 15, 1975, when the father of the nation was killed with his family, that rehabilitation center also lost its way. Since then, terrorist activities started and intensified in Chanpara.

Over the last few decades, it has become a crime hub. Locals say there is no crime that does not happen there. That is why this Chanpara is often at the center of discussion. When you pronounce the name Chanpara, a horrible “Drug Kingdom‍‍`” pops up in everyone‍‍`s mind. The inaccessible Chanpara has rivers on three sides and a canal on one side. That is why this area is almost isolated from the mainland. The only way to get here by road is through the bridge over the Balu River via Demra. 

A month ago, Chanpara hit the headlines again. At that time, a drug lord named Shaheen Mia alias CT Shaheen was killed in a “gunfight” with in RAB. However, Shaheen‍‍`s wife Iti Akhtar claims that there was no gunfight, Shaheen was taken away by RAB and shot dead. Shaheen was an activist of the local unit of Awami League.

After BUET student Porosh’s killing, the secrets of the drug haven started to be revealed. It was known then that one Bazlur is one of the drug kingpins there. He was an Awami League leader and a member of Kayetpara Union Parishad. He got arrested by RAB soon after Porosh’s murder. Later on, he died in March while being treated at a hospital. RAB had filed three cases against him. Apart from those, Bazlur was sued in at least 23 cases including those for murder and drug peddling. 

As law enforcers intensified raids in Chanpara, drug dealers and criminals left the area for some time. The situation surrounding the by-election on July 12 this year was somewhat normal. After that the criminals slowly started returning to Chanpara. The previous drug business started. But this time only the team leaders have changed. Those who used to control the crime world and drug trade here are no more. Now it is controlled by three new people. Earlier only one Bajlu member controlled the entire Chanpara.

The situation surrounding the by-election on June 12 was somewhat normal. After that, the criminals slowly started returning to Chanpara. The drug business resumed in full swing. But this time, only the gang leaders have changed. Those who used to control the crime world and drug trade here are no more in charge. Now it is controlled by three new people. Earlier only, Bajlu would control the entire Chanpara.

Bajlur‍‍`s loyal Shamser Ali, Shahabuddin and Zainal once controlled Chanpara on his behalf. After Bajlu‍‍`s death, all three of them are now desperate to single-handedly take over the entire power and control the slum. There have been clashes in the last few weeks. In these clashes, at least 25 people, including four people who were shot, are receiving treatment in the hospital.

This reporter visiting the area for some days found that a new group has emerged there under the leadership of Sahabuddin and Mohila League leader Rita. In this situation, another new group was formed by Yasmin and Zainal. 

Also, some local goons are building forces led by Shamser Ali.

Law and order forces do not often go on raids in Chanpara. It becomes difficult for them to go there if they do not have an understanding with the drug controllers of Chanpara. Even the law enforcers are attacked. At least seven to eight thousand women and children gather at the entrance of the main road in just two minutes and form a barricade. As a result, it becomes very difficult to catch criminals.

Zainal said, "After the death of Bajlu bhai, I also contested the election. They (Shamser‍‍`s men) shot my men like birds. Now the issue is not the election. Now it‍‍`s about respect, it‍‍`s about power. 

“Shamser Ali’s goons shot a boy named Hridoy of my ward after failing to trace me… Witnessing murders, arrests, shootings, and police every day, we don’t really mind them,” he said.

“Will I sit idle and keep mum if innocent people of my area are shot and attacked?” he questioned. 

The reporter also tried to talk to Shamsher Ali at his three-storey house in the area. But he has been on the run after days of clashes there.