A sense of unease grips the residents of Mohammadpur as the area finds itself at the heart of a growing crime wave.
The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has recently identified 13 hotspots within the locality as ‘red zones’ for mugging, shedding light on an escalating crisis that has left residents fearful and law enforcement agencies scrambling for solutions.
From Dhaka Udyan to Basila Bridge and Taj Mahal Road to Japan Garden City, these areas have become dangerous terrains where criminals operate with alarming impunity.
According to a senior DB official, the proliferation of teenaged gangs has exacerbated the situation, pushing criminal activities, including mugging, drug trading, and violent attacks, to intolerable levels.
The lawlessness in Mohammadpur has been particularly noticeable since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year.
The once-thriving neighbourhood has transformed into one of Dhaka’s most crime-infested zones, with reports of gunfire, robbery, and armed assaults becoming a daily occurrence. Such an environment has led to a heightened sense of insecurity among residents, who fear that no time of the day is truly safe.
Teen Gangs
The rise of teenage gang culture has emerged as a major concern for both law enforcement agencies and the local community.
Authorities have identified around 100 members of such gangs operating in Mohammadpur alone.
The audacity of these criminals was starkly displayed on February 6, when four police officers—three of them sub-inspectors—were severely injured during an anti-drug operation in Rayer Bazar.
The attackers, armed with sharp weapons, left the officers battered, reinforcing fears about the growing brutality of teen gangs.
One of the most shocking incidents occurred in late January when a video surfaced on social media showing a teenage boy wielding a machete and assaulting another in broad daylight in the Dhaka Udyan area.
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The video sent shockwaves through the city, highlighting the reckless nature of these crimes and the lack of fear among perpetrators.
Habibur Rahman, a long-time resident of Dhaka Udyan, believes the unchecked rise of teen gangs is the primary reason behind the surge in crimes. “These groups operate freely, and many are involved in drug peddling and violent attacks. The situation has worsened in recent months,” he said.
Fear in Broad Daylight
What makes the situation more alarming is that mugging and violent crimes are no longer restricted to the cover of darkness.
According to an intelligence report, Dhaka currently has 432 high-risk mugging spots, with Mohammadpur alone accounting for 108 of them. Many residents report that criminals strike even during daylight hours, creating an atmosphere of perpetual anxiety.
Rabiul Islam, a security guard, became one of the most high-profile victims when he was fatally stabbed by muggers in Dhaka Udyan on October 10 last year. Another gruesome attack followed on January 30 when 26-year-old Md.
Sumon Sheikh had his left wrist severed during a mugging incident in the Adabor Balur Math area. Sumon was crossing the road at around 2:45 pm when the attackers pounced, leaving him critically injured.
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Passersby rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, but the brutality of the crime left a deep scar on the community’s psyche.
Authorities Respond: A Glimmer of Hope?
In response to the worsening crime situation, the DB of DMP, alongside joint forces, has ramped up operations in Mohammadpur.
Law enforcement agencies have arrested several gang members, while others have reportedly fled the area due to intensified crackdowns.
Joint Commissioner (DB-North) of the DMP, Mohammad Rabiul Hossain Bhuiyan, acknowledged that crime in Mohammadpur had reached an intolerable level in recent months. However, he assured residents that with persistent efforts, the situation is beginning to show signs of improvement.
“We have conducted repeated anti-crime operations. A large number of miscreants, including teenage gang members, have been arrested. Many others have fled the area,” he said.
Despite these efforts, concerns remain. For many residents, safety still feels like a distant dream. Until criminals are fully eradicated and law enforcement establishes firm control, Mohammadpur will remain a battleground between security forces and a rising wave of organised street crime.
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For now, the residents of Mohammadpur wait—hoping for the day their neighbourhood will once again be a place of peace, rather than fear.