Dhaka city is witnessing a worrying resurgence of organised crime, with incidents of murder, public shootings, stabbings and extortion increasing more than two decades after the underworld was first brought under control. Law enforcement officials say a weakened law-and-order situation following the political changeover on August 5, 2024, has created space for organised criminal groups to re-emerge.
A senior official of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), speaking to The Daily Observer, said organised criminals are once again becoming influential, often with links to locally affiliated political groups. He noted that influence in the capital's criminal landscape is shifting between established figures and their associates, many of whom have regained freedom on bail.
Over the past 21 months, at least 23 incidents involving professional criminals have been reported, including seven murders. Several killings took place in public, while others involved shootings, stabbings, bomb blasts and threats. Areas such as Mohammadpur, among at least 20 identified hotspots, have seen a noticeable rise in gang-related violence.
The latest high-profile killing took place on April 28, when Khondokar Naeem Ahmed, also known as Titon, a top criminal recently released on bail, was shot dead in the New Market area. Law enforcement sources say the killing has intensified tensions within rival groups, with suspicion directed at another underworld figure, Sanjidul Islam Emon, also known as "Captain Emon".
Officials say territorial control and personal rivalries are driving much of the violence. Following the political transition, several top criminals-including Mamun, Emon, Iman and others-were released on bail, allowing them to reassert influence and divide areas of operation.
Criminal networks are reportedly involved in extortion across multiple sectors, including garment waste trade, waste management, cable TV and internet services, transport, cattle markets during Eid, construction contracts and local business protection rackets. These overlapping interests frequently lead to violent clashes.
Law enforcement officials also warn that unemployed youths facing financial hardship are being recruited by criminals operating both inside and outside the country. DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam said many top criminals are currently based abroad and are attempting to control Dhaka's criminal networks remotely. He added that coordinated operations against these groups began on May 1.
At least six prominent figures, including Emon, Titon, Abbas Ali of Mirpur and Sweden Aslam of Tejgaon, have been released on bail in recent times, with some reportedly leaving the country and continuing operations from abroad. Others, including Subrata Bain, have also resurfaced in the criminal scene after August 2024.
In response, the DMP has launched a citywide combing operation targeting listed criminals and their associates. The drive includes raids, checkpoints, surveillance, CCTV analysis and cyber monitoring, with support from the Detective Branch and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit. Officials say the objective is to curb the resurgence and restore control over the capital's security situation.
