In the wake of rising crime rates, Bangladesh Army has set up temporary camps at Mohammadpur area to help restore law and order in the area.
Organised groups have been committing various crimes, including mugging, robbery and other misdeeds for long, leaving people to live in the area amid fear.
People heave a sigh of relief following the setting up army camps, as they think that notorious criminals would no more be able to do any harm to them.
A series of violent incidents have left locals in fear and many of them even dare to go outside in the evening.
On a single Friday night, around 30 people fell victim to muggings within half an hour in Mohammadpur’s D Block of Dhaka Udyan and Ekta Housing areas. Several businesses were also looted, and at least five people sustained serious injuries in the attacks.
Since August, Mohammadpur, a residential area for middle- and lower-middle-income families, has experienced a surge in daylight muggings, robberies, and violent knife attacks, causing concern among residents.
In response, the Bangladeshi Army conducted a joint operation at several areas of Mohammadpur, including Dhaka Udyan, Chand Udyan, and Nabodaya Housing, leading to the arrest of 45 individuals involved in muggings, extortion, and gang-related activities.
During a press conference at the Basila Army Camp on Saturday night, Deputy Commander of the 23rd East Bengal Regiment Major Nazim Ahmed said that temporary army camps would be set up in Mohammadpur to curb crime, control gang activities, and restore public safety.
On Sunday, the 46th Independent Infantry Brigade set up a temporary army camp in Dhaka Udyan to bolster security in the Dhaka Udyan and Chandrima Udyan areas.
In the event of any untoward incident in the area, forces will arrive within 10 minutes, according to sources.
Major Fazle Bari said that additional plans are underway to establish another camp to enhance crime prevention efforts.
Reports from local residents highlight a climate of fear as brazen daylight robberies and muggings have become disturbingly common.
According to witnesses, mugging gangs, consisting of up to 30 members, roam the area at night wielding weapons, including knives, rods, and pipes, creating panic among residents.
Many locals have stopped venturing out in the evening, while shopkeepers, especially in quieter areas, have taken to closing early due to security fears.
Some video footages of recent crimes have also gone viral on social sites.
One video, taken Friday night, shows that a group of criminals armed with knives and rods entered Ekta Housing from the Turag River walkway and looted the area.
On October 20, another incident involving a Nestle company vehicle occurred in Mohammadpur Housing Limited, where robbers reportedly stole nearly Tk 12 lakh, raising a sense of fear among the residents.
Mohammadpur residents recently staged a protest in front of the local police station, demanding immediate action to address the rise in crime.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the role of the police, they asked them to restore law and order within three days.
Ali Iftekhar Hasan, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Mohammadpur Police Station, acknowledged that Mohammadpur has historically been one of the crime-prone areas of the capital.
He said that six out of the city’s top 10 criminals have origins in Mohammadpur and cited a shortage of personnel as a reason for the lack of regular patrols in the area.
Data from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) revealed that between October 1 and October 25, Mohammadpur Police Station recorded four murder cases, one mugging, and two robbery cases. In September alone, the area saw 17 murder cases and one reported mugging.
In a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), officials emphasised that the army’s intervention is aimed at stabilising the public safety landscape. During the recent operations, 45 criminals were arrested in Mohammadpur.
Major Nazim Ahmed said that temporary camps would cover two to three housing areas in Mohammadpur, with army personnel actively working to reduce crime.
He added that the 23rd East Bengal Regiment conducted an operation on Saturday. A total of 45 criminals were arrested, including two involved in a daring robbery at Basila Supershop. Several locally-made weapons in their possession were also recovered.
Major Nazim said that approximately 27 to 28 teenage gangs were identified in Mohammadpur, with around 30-40 per cent concentrated in the Geneva Camp area. Among those arrested, 15 to 16 were ‘godfathers’ or leaders involved in extortion and robbery, causing hardship for office-goers, students, and general residents.
The army officer also said that members of RAB and the police accompanied them during the operation, and the arrested individuals were handed over to the police station for further legal action.
According to ISPR, since receiving magistracy powers, the army has detained 152 criminals, seized 18 firearms, and confiscated 271 rounds of ammunition and numerous weapons, along with narcotics, across the Mohammadpur, Adabor, and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar areas.
Locals have expressed optimism for a safer Mohammadpur as the army steps in to counter crime. With the army’s help, residents hope for a swift return to safety and normalcy in their community.
