A string of murders, public shootings, vandalism, arson and extortion, including attacks on businesspeople, has deepened fear in Khulna, prompting ruling-party leaders to demand tougher action to restore order.
BNP leaders, including a ruling-party MP, the whip of the National Parliament and the city corporation administrator, have voiced deep concern over the deteriorating security situation and urged police and the administration to act decisively against criminals.
They say law enforcement agencies have so far failed to take effective measures, and they have declared a hard line against terrorism.
‘If police fail, BNP will take to the streets’
National Parliament Whip and Khulna-3 MP Rakibul Islam said: “Khulna has now become a city of fear, a city of terrorism. Every day, when you wake up, you hear that someone has been murdered somewhere. There has been vandalism somewhere over demands for extortion money. We have repeatedly told the police and administration to be strict. But they have taken no action. Had they done so, these murders, attacks and acts of vandalism would not have occurred. In this situation, if the police fail to build resistance against terrorists, BNP will take to the streets.”
Rakibul Islam said: “Everyone must come together again to make the city free of terrorism. We are ready for that. Poor parents are unable to earn a living while looking at their children’s faces. Out of compulsion, some are taking the path of terrorism. Some are becoming frustrated and moving towards drugs. The condition of our Khulna has deteriorated so much today that, knowingly or unknowingly, people are being drawn towards terrorism by the lure of Tk15,000 or Tk7,000. I would urge those who have taken the path of terrorism that, in the end, you will be defeated.”
He said: “The government will not remain idle. For the peace and development of the people, the government will take tough measures at the final moment. Our appeal is that there is still an opportunity to abandon that path and return to the path of light. They can be brought back to normal life through the law. Because the path you have chosen is not one on which you can survive for long. History does not say so. Therefore, whether driven by emotion or relative compassion, you must abandon this path.”
KCC administrator urges joint force crackdown, curfew if necessary
Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator and former president of the metropolitan BNP Nazrul Islam Manju said: “Khulna is now submerged in terrorism. Several terrorist groups have taken 1.4 million people hostage. This situation needs to end. To immediately suppress terrorism, extortion and the drug trade, a joint force should conduct a massive crackdown and, if necessary, impose a curfew to arrest the terrorists.”
Manju said: “The killers are murdering people, engaging in extortion and establishing drug markets. Anyone who protests is being killed by them. So far, they have killed 8 to 10 activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations. If this situation continues, the people of Khulna will not survive, and no development will take place in Khulna. People are living in a city shrouded in darkness. Businesspeople have already left Khulna. Many have become speechless. The situation is such that people do not know whom to tell. Even if the matter is exposed, that person will be shot and killed. That is why everyone is paying extortion money, but nobody is speaking out. Silent extortion is taking place in Khulna city. And these extortion amounts are not small; they are lakhs and crores of taka. Five or six groups are engaging in extortion, holding people hostage and killing them. But we want this to end. For this, the prime minister must intervene directly. A joint force must be formed with all the forces, and an operation must be conducted to arrest them.”
The KCC administrator further said: “If necessary, we must adopt the model of suppressing terrorism used by Khaleda Zia Madam, which I mentioned at a press conference. Madam had established 150 police camps in the Khulna division, and intelligence personnel were brought in for special intelligence surveillance in this region. Crossfire is inhumane, and the government has stopped it. Because this weapon was misused during the Awami League period, no popular government wants to use it. But today, judging by everyone’s applause, it seems that crossfire is very popular when there is a special necessity. This region must be cleared at any cost. Our prime minister has pledged to build a safe city for the public, and this must be implemented.”
MP questions police and administration
Khulna-4 MP Azizul Baree said: “The negligence of the police and administration proves that if you have no connection with these anti-social people, how are they still roaming around freely in your society? They are intimidating people. I have also said that if anyone involved in our revolution or the mass uprising is also connected to this, identify them and arrest them. Since you have been unable to identify and arrest them, I have no hesitation in saying, as a representative of a revolutionary government, whether you have any secret collusion with these criminals? If not, why are you not arresting them?”
Jamaat MP: security must be real, not just assurances
Jamaat-e-Islami MP from Khulna-2 Zahangir Hossain Helal said: “The people of Khulna want security, peace of mind and a normal life. But currently, people are feeling insecure. City residents are uncertain about when and where something might happen. Many are preparing to leave the city out of fear. Businesspeople are protesting by keeping their shops closed and holding human chains. People involved in medical services have also taken to the streets demanding security. This is shameful for everyone.”
He said: “It is the responsibility of the state to ensure the security of businesspeople and ordinary people. But if extortion continues even after law enforcement agencies conduct operations, how will people feel at ease? Operations are also being successful, while extortion is also continuing. Such a situation is in no way desirable. Effective measures are needed to restore a sense of relief among the people. Special surveillance and effective initiatives are needed to improve the law and order situation in Khulna. People’s security must be ensured in reality, not just through statements or assurances.”
He said: “Law enforcement agencies have sought the cooperation of political and professional leaders to stop extortion and terrorism. I am providing that cooperation from my position. There will be no extortion in my constituency. Law enforcement agencies must create an environment in which nobody dares to engage in extortion.”
Ordinary people feel insecure
Member secretary of Khulna Nagorik Samaj, Advocate Babul Howlader, said: “No visible operation to suppress crime is being seen in Khulna. Criminals are only being given the opportunity to become alert by preparing lists. Murders, extortion and drug trading are taking place in the metropolitan area. Ordinary people are suffering from insecurity.”
He said: “Apart from the five police stations in the city, there are allegations of land grabbing, extortion, murder and drug trading in Batiaghata, Rupsa, Terokhada, Dighalia and Dumuria. If the administration knows where the terrorists are staying, why are they not being arrested?”
What the police say
Khulna District Superintendent of Police (SP) Sarkar Omar Farooq said that since taking responsibility, operations had been conducted at different times to improve the law and order situation in the district. There are plans for block raid operations ahead. At the same time, motorcycle-focused operations are being intensified. Coordinated operations are also being conducted in areas bordering different police stations.