KHULNA, Mar 18: Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) has prepared a list of 475 criminals, including extortionists, terrorists and drug traders, who are allegedly active in different parts of the city.
According to police and intelligence sources, the list includes 28 extortionists, 47 terrorists and around 400 drug traders. The list has recently been prepared and sent to the Home Ministry following a directive from the government to identify criminals across the country after the formation of the new BNP-led government.
Sources said, the list was prepared based on information gathered from various intelligence agencies. Several categories of alleged offenders have been included in the list, such as political activists, journalists, leaders of criminal gangs, armed criminals, drug traders and gold smugglers.
Law-enforcement officials said, the names of members of eight major criminal groups in Khulna have been placed at the top of the list. Intelligence sources indicated that a joint drive against the listed criminals is likely to begin after Eid, subject to approval from the Home Ministry.
According to intelligence officials, the list also includes the name of a leader of the Khulna city BNP under the political category. Investigators alleged that after August 5, 2024, the leader collected large sums of money through extortion from different sources in the city.
An intelligence official, requesting anonymity, alleged that the leader collected around Tk 27 crore from a gold smuggling syndicate during that period.
The source further alleged that after the political change on August 5, the leader also collected about Tk 5 crore from a land grabber reportedly linked to Awami League (AL) politics in Khulna.
Investigators claimed that the leader is currently involved in a partnership arrangement in a construction project worth around Tk 600 crore through a contractor associated with former Khulna mayor and AL city president Talukder Abdul Khaleque.
The intelligence source also alleged that the leader used influence in the KCC to secure several contracts worth nearly Tk 100 through proxies.
Other allegations include collecting money from businessmen by threatening legal cases, extorting funds from a senior leader of the Khulna Chamber of Commerce and collecting regular tolls from bus stands, truck stands and market committees.
The source also claimed that the leader allegedly collects a monthly payment from the Khulna Sub-Registry Office and maintains financial links with different illegal businesses in the city.
The list also includes the name of a leader holding a post in Khulna Sadar Thana BNP.
According to intelligence sources, he allegedly occupied railway property and collected large amounts of extortion from businessmen in the city's large markets after August 5.
The source said he is currently accused of collecting daily tolls from floating hawkers in different areas of the city.
Names of several leaders associated with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) have also reportedly appeared on the list on allegations of forming mobs and accumulating wealth through intimidation.
Law enforcement sources said that during the past one and a half years several criminal groups have emerged in Khulna city, while disputes over drug trade and rivalry among gangs have led to frequent violent incidents.
More than 70 murder incidents have reportedly taken place in the city during this period.
Police officials also expressed concern over the presence of armed criminals in the city's slums. According to police intelligence data, two trained shooters are active in each of the 302 slums in the metropolitan area.
In addition, an average of four female drug dealers are reportedly operating in each slum, making drug trafficking networks more difficult to control.
A senior KMP official, requesting anonymity, said eight major criminal groups are currently active in the Khulna city.
He said the Rohan and Palash groups initially emerged as teenage gangs. Later the groups split into three factions led by Palash, Grenade Babu and NurAzim.
In Daulatpur area, extremist leaders Humayun Kabir Huma, Arman Sheikh alias Armin and Nasimul Gani alias Nasim have separate groups, the official said.
A new group led by Ashik in the Tutpara area has also recently emerged, he added.
The official said Nasim, who had been jailed after being convicted in the murder case of top criminal Tiger Khokon, was released on bail from the High Court on November 28 along with another gang leader Arman. Their release has reportedly reactivated criminal networks in the city.
Meanwhile, around 400 drug traders are reportedly operating in different neighbourhoods and slum areas of the city, many of whom are women.
Confirming the development, KMP Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan said, the list of 475 criminals has been sent to the Home Ministry.
"Once directives are received, a strict drive will be launched after Eid," he said, adding that regular operations against criminals are already continuing.
He said many armed criminals have already been arrested and brought under the law.
"Extortionists will be arrested regardless of their political affiliation," he said, adding that building a society free from terrorism, extortion and drugs is a priority of the government.
Rokibul Islam Bakul Whip of National Parliament said if any leaders or activists of his party are involved in extortion, land grabbing or drug trade, they must be arrested immediately.
"We want to see Khulna as a peaceful city," he added.
Contacted, KMP Deputy Commissioner (South) Mohammad Tajul Islam said, police have already sent the lists of 475 criminals to the Ministry of Home Affairs, saying the law enforcement agencies will be conducted drives likely after Eid-ul-Fitr after getting directives from the concern Ministry.
He, however, said identified suspects in most of the murder incidents that occurred in the city have also under intelligence surveillance.
"We are following a zero tolerance policy against illegal arms, drugs trading and extortion," he added.
