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TL;DR:
- Bangladesh Army to establish temporary camps in Mohammadpur housing areas from Sunday to combat rising crime and restore law and order.
- 45 suspected terrorists arrested, including two linked to a recent supermarket robbery, with locally made weapons seized during an army operation.
- 27-28 youth gangs identified in Mohammadpur, with 30-40% concentrated in the Geneva Camp area, targeting civilians for extortion and robbery.
- Military intervention follows a 72-hour ultimatum given by residents to police, highlighting the severity of the crime situation in the area.
In a decisive move to combat the escalating crime wave in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, the Bangladesh Army is set to establish temporary camps throughout the area’s housing complexes starting Sunday. This announcement comes in the wake of increasing incidents of terrorism, extortion, mugging, and robbery that have plagued the locality in recent months.
Major Nazim Ahmed, Deputy Commander of 23-East Bengal, revealed these plans during a press conference held at the army camp in Basila around 1 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2024. The military intervention aims to restore law and order in a neighborhood that has become increasingly volatile since the political upheaval in August.
“Temporary camps will be set up in various housing areas from Sunday to control the law and order situation in Mohammadpur,” stated Major Ahmed. He explained that one camp would be established to oversee two to three housing areas, from where army personnel will work to maintain security throughout the region.
The army’s involvement follows a series of high-profile crimes that have shaken the community. On October 25, a daring robbery at a supermarket in the Basila area of Mohammadpur was captured on CCTV, showcasing the brazenness of local criminals. In response, the Bangladesh Army’s 23 East Bengal conducted an operation on Saturday, resulting in the arrest of 45 suspected terrorists, including two individuals linked to the supermarket robbery. Various locally made weapons were also seized during the operation.
Major Ahmed highlighted the presence of 27-28 youth gangs in Mohammadpur, with approximately 30-40% concentrated in the Geneva Camp area. “Among those we have detained, we have caught 15 to 16 godfathers or leaders. They were all involved in extortion and robbery. They targeted office-goers, students, and ordinary people,” he elaborated.
The military intervention comes on the heels of mounting public pressure. A group of Mohammadpur residents, exasperated by the daily occurrences of theft, mugging, robbery, and violence, had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the police to bring the situation under control. The army’s deployment appears to be a direct response to this urgent call for action.
The recent crime wave in Mohammadpur has been attributed to various factors, including the aftermath of the political changes in August. Reports suggest that weapons stolen from police stations during the unrest found their way into the hands of criminals, particularly those residing in the Geneva Camp – the largest settlement for Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh.
As the army prepares to set up its temporary camps, residents of Mohammadpur are hopeful that this intervention will bring about a much-needed respite from the crime and violence that have disrupted their daily lives. The success of this operation could have significant implications for security strategies in urban areas across Bangladesh.
Source: Ittefaq
