Joint forces led by the Bangladesh Army have detained 45 individuals for their alleged involvement in mugging, robbery, and gang activity in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area.
They were detained on Saturday evening in the Dhaka Uddan area and nearby.
Following primary interrogation at the army’s Basila camp, they were handed over to Mohammadpur police station.
To combat these crimes, the army will set up temporary camps in each housing area of Mohammadpur starting Sunday, Major Nazim Ahmed, deputy commander of the 23 East Bengal Regiment said.
He made the comment at a press conference held at the Basila camp early Sunday morning.
He urged residents: “Don’t be afraid; give us information. If you do, the army will respond promptly.”
Major Nazim Ahmed added: “No criminal will escape justice. We have detained 45 individuals and handed them over to Mohammadpur police station following raids against extortionists and criminals in Dhaka Uddan, Chand Uddan, and other housing societies.
“Among those detained, approximately 15 to 16 are teen gang leaders involved in extortion, mugging, drug dealing, and various crimes. This operation will continue to keep residents safe.”
Since gaining magistracy powers, the army has arrested 197 individuals. So far, they have seized 18 firearms, 261 rounds of ammunition, 19 types of drugs, a grenade, and 80 local weapons.
Recently, CCTV footage of three separate mugging and robbery incidents in Mohammadpur went viral on social media.
In one video, a young woman on her way to university is seen being chased and robbed of her bag by muggers with local weapons. This incident took place around 6:30am on October 23.
In another video, several robbers armed with local weapons raided a mini-supermarket in Basila, holding the shopkeeper at gunpoint and taking all the cash. This incident occurred at around 10pm on October 25.
A third video shows hundreds of teenagers displaying local weapons in Dhaka Uddan around 10:30pm on Friday, intimidating anyone they encountered.
All involved were identified as members of teen gangs.