A string of homicides associated with dangerous gang conflicts and political confrontations in Chattogram during the last year has left city residents and nearby areas on edge, with many expressing feelings of living in constant fear.
According to police data, a total of 35 murders have occurred in the metropolitan region and its peripheries since the political transition on August 5 last year. Law enforcement sources indicate that 15 of these incidents were politically motivated, while the remaining 20 were linked to gang rivalries and other reasons.
In a recent incident, a prominent gang member, Sarwar Hossain Babla, was fatally shot during an election event for BNP candidate Ershad Ullah in the Panchlaish area of the city. Though Ershad sustained injuries in the attack, authorities and local informants suggest that the killing was a targeted act driven by underworld gang disputes rather than political disagreements.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz stated, “It seems Sarwar’s rival group orchestrated the hit over a longstanding conflict, with no apparent intention to target Ershad.” Sarwar, who had previously been associated with fugitive crime leader Sajjad Hossain, had formed his own gang after splitting from the group. His brother, Md Aziz, revealed that Sarwar had been receiving death threats before the fatal attack, expressing concerns for their safety amidst the prevailing atmosphere of fear.
Two individuals have been apprehended in connection with Sarwar’s murder thus far. Additionally, a Chhatra Dal member named Sazzad was gunned down in Bakalia during a clash between two Jubo Dal factions, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.
The district’s Raozan upazila has emerged as a hotspot for violence, recording 17 killings in the past 14 months, with seven confirmed as politically motivated by authorities. More than 40 individuals have been detained by police and Rab in relation to these cases, which reportedly involve followers of rival BNP leaders Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury and Golam Akbar Khandakar.
Despite the arrests, Raozan continues to grapple with fear and tension due to the prevalence of illegal firearms. The surge in gun-related incidents has been linked to the theft of 945 firearms from police stations and outposts in Chattogram on August 5 last year, with 780 weapons recovered by September and the rest believed to be used in criminal activities.
The escalation of violence has extended to Sitakunda and Mirsarai, where additional fatalities have occurred recently. Chattogram Superintendent of Police Saiful Islam Shantu acknowledged the complexity of the situation, emphasizing efforts to address criminal elements receiving political protection. Akhtar Kabir Chowdhury, president of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujon) in Chattogram, criticized the government and administration for failing to ensure public safety, attributing the rise in criminal activities to insufficient action against illegal arms over the past year and a half.