Jangal Salimpur, once described as a "state within a state" ruled by armed syndicates, has been successfully brought under government control without any loss of life, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian said.
Speaking to journalists at his office recently, the DC noted that for years, the area remained a stronghold for criminal groups who illegally controlled land allocation, electricity connections, and various infrastructure projects.
"But a country cannot function this way," the DC said. "After the new government assumed office following the election, we accepted this challenge and were able to address it successfully. Most importantly, we completed the operation without any loss of life."
The DC highlighted that Jangal Salimpur had long been a source of anxiety for the city. In previous years, law enforcement faced significant hurdles as criminals often used innocent residents as human shields to thwart operations.
"This time, they were not given that opportunity," he said. While administrative pressures during the election period delayed large-scale action, the DC explained that a coordinated strike was launched immediately afterward.
The operation involved the Bangladesh Army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the Police, supported by executive magistrates. Authorities utilized drone surveillance to monitor the terrain and criminal movements before moving in. The DC also paid tribute to the RAB members who were martyred in an earlier operation prior to the election.
With the criminal syndicates dismantled, the government has shifted its focus to humanitarian aid and permanent infrastructure. Healthcare initiatives, including vaccination programs, are already underway.
A master plan for the area's development has been drafted, including a proposal for a new road. Furthermore, a land office has been established to break the cycle of illegal land-grabbing syndicates.
