95pc of Khulna killings linked to drugs, extortion, territory dominance

KHULNA, Aug 22: About 95 per cent of recent killings in Khulna have been linked to disputes over drugs, establishing dominance and extortion, according to police, local people and civic leaders.

The alarming rise in crime has created fear and insecurity among residents, while the law-and-order situation has deteriorated amid growing social degradation, mob violence and the activities of juvenile gangs.

Police officials, political leaders, civil society representatives and local people said the situation worsened after August 5, 2024, as respect for law declined and criminal activities increased.

According to multiple police sources, more than 150 people have been killed in the Khulna city and district during the past two years since August 5, 2024. 

Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) sources said 24 killings occurred in the city during the first seven months and 20 days of the current year. Of these, nine were reportedly linked directly to drug-related disputes. 

During the period, 2,819 people were arrested and sent to jail, but many allegedly returned to criminal activities after securing bail.

In the latest incidents, two youths, Nazmul, 19, and Md Monjurul Islam, 22, were hacked and shot dead within a gap of only three hours at Shishu Bagan Ashi Bigha area under Labanchara Police Station (PS) on August 19. Police suspect that drug-related disputes were behind the killings.

Mir Mamun, a member of the B Company of alleged top criminal Grenade Babu, was shot in front of Abu Salehin Protibondhi School in Debipur Village under Naiyati Union of the district on August 18. On the same day, a youth named Raju, 26, was beaten to death near the Boro Mosque at Rayermohol Bazar in the city.

Joy Dhali, 27, was slaughtered at Durjani Mohal Village under Aichgati Union of Rupsha Upazila on August 15.

Juba Dal activist Fakhrul Sheikh, 32, was shot dead at Srirampur in Rupsha Upazila on the night of August 12.

An alleged extremist named Ibrahim Katappa later confessed before a court to his involvement in the killing.

On the same day, miscreants launched a sudden attack on KUET Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam at Mujgunni residential area.

A housewife, Shimul, 35, was shot and injured in front of West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (Wzpdcl)  office premises under Sonadanga PS on August 10.

Batiaghata Upazila Food Controller Anindya Kumar Das was hacked and injured in front of Akbar Store at Farazipara on August 9.

Miscreants opened fire targeting the house of Batiaghata Upazila Juba Dal Member Secretary Bahadur Munsi on August 8. Earlier, a youth named Ismail, 32, was shot dead by miscreants at Tutpara in the city on August 1.

Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tajul Islam said drugs were a major reason behind the rise in crime in the region.

He said field-level police officers, including SIs and ASIs, are still struggling to overcome the trauma created after August 5, 2024, while fear of mob violence was affecting their work. 

Deputy Police Commissioner (Headquarters) of KMP SM Shakiluzzaman said police efforts to improve the law-and-order situation had not stopped. “We are recovering arms and drugs and arresting criminals,” he said, adding that a suspected criminal named Saifi, whose name surfaced in connection with two killings in Harintana, had previously been arrested but recently secured bail from the High Court.

Newly appointed KMP Commissioner Md Sajjadur Rahman could not be reached for comment as he was ill. However, after joining the post, he held a meeting with officers of the Crime and Traffic divisions on August 3 and instructed them to take effective measures to maintain law and order and curb crime in the metropolis.

Khulna Nagarik Samaj Member Secretary Babul Howladar expressed deep concern over the situation, saying the city’s law-and-order situation had reached an unprecedented level. He alleged that several law-enforcement branches working at the field level had failed to perform their duties effectively.

Khulna City Unit BNP President and KDA Chairman Advocate SM Shafiqul Alam Mona said steps must be taken at any cost to restore law and order and remove fear among city residents.

Former Khulna City BNP president and KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju said the region had been flooded with killings, drugs and criminal activities since August 5, 2024.

Manju said he had already discussed the situation with the new KMP commissioner, who had some plans to tackle crime.