Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia has vowed to wipe out all types of gang culture from Dhaka.
“Whether teen gangs or otherwise, the word gang will not exist in Dhaka. All gangs will be wiped out,” the DMP chief said.
He made the remarks while inspecting security measures at Hosne Dalan's Imambari on Saturday, ahead of Ashura.
“The DMP has adopted a zero tolerance policy against gang culture. We will not allow anyone to sabotage the Ashura procession either,” the DMP commissioner said.
The DMP chiefs comments come in the wake of several raids against teen gangs, with 110 youths detained in Hatirjheel on Friday for allegedly harassing passers-by. Members of the gangs reportedly use mobile phones to organize drug deals, high-jacking, and even murder.
Out of the total 110 detainees, 103 were released and handed over to their families on Saturday, as they had no previous allegations against them. The remaining seven are still in police custody and being investigated.
While addressing a conference on the prevention of drug dealing, child torture, harassment, child marriage and misuse of the internet as the chief guest, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan urged parents to ensure that their children return home before the evening due to the trend of teenage gangs.
“Teenage gangs stay out till late at night. We request that guardians ensure that their children return home before the evening,” he said.
The home minister added that teenagers who participated in gang culture would be punished under the Children Act 2013.