A total of 184 murders have been committed in Dhaka from January to October this year. Among these murders, 14 were committed over business disputes and establishing dominance, while domestic feuds and muggings are behind the rest of the killings.
In the past five years, 43 murders were committed in the capital over establishing dominance. However, police claimed that the law and order situation in Dhaka is under their control.
In a recent incident, clothing scraps trader Mohiuddin Mohon was gunned down in Mirpur area on November 9 over a business dispute. Mohon’s wife filed a case with Pallabi police station over the killing, but police is yet to arrest anyone directly involved with the murder.
Responding to query, Investigation Officer (IO) of the case and Pallabi police station (investigation) Imranul Haque said: “An accused named Mizanur Rahman has been arrested and we are making an effort to arrest the rest of the culprits who are behind Mohon’s murder.”
Trail of bodies
Mohon is not the only victim of business dispute in Dhaka, as the business of garment clothing scraps resulted in the murder of many over the past years.
Murders in Dhaka over clothing scraps business dispute |
Four people, including two leaders of Awami League and Sechchasebak League, killed in Badda area on August 13, 2015 Badda Chhatra League Vice President Mofazzal Hossain Raihan was shot dead on May 3, 2015 Sainik League leader Rubel Hossain was murdered in Kafrul on August 10, 2015 |
According to police and mass media sources, a total of 43 people were killed in the span of past five years from 2014 to 2018 over establishing dominance.
The murder motives range from internal disputes, disagreement over distribution of money, extortion racketeering, illegal narcotics trade, and disputes in businesses such as clothes scraps, cable TV and illegal occupation of land properties.
Murders committed in Dhaka in past 5 years
Year | Number of murders |
2014 | 262 |
2015 | 239 |
2016 | 165 |
2017 | 218 |
2018 (till October) | 184 |
Total | 1,068 |
* Source: Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Joint Commissioner Md Mahbub Alam told the correspondent: “The 43 murders committed over establishing dominance in Dhaka for the past five years is not a high number.
“The law and order situation in Dhaka is under our control. We are investigating all murder cases, and the possibility of this type of murder taking place in Dhaka is currently quite low.”
Risky businesses
Recently, murdered businessman Mohon’s wife Ms Tamanna revealed that her husband’s business partner Dilip and his associates had repeatedly threatened Mohon to withdraw from this business.
She continued: “My husband left the clothes scrap business three years ago, but decided to start against in collaboration with Azmot Garments. There was an attempt on his life, and Mohon filed a case over it.
“My husband was threatened numerous times to withdraw that case, but he did not. Mohon was murdered by Dilip and his associates for not heeding their threats.”
Murders in Dhaka over business disputes and internal feuds |
Listed criminal Abul Bashar shot dead in Merul Badda on February 17, 2018 Businessman Kamruzzaman Dukhu shot dead in Badda on April 22, 2018 Cable TV businessman Babu shot dead in Badda on May 9, 2018 Ward Chhatra League leader Moshiur Rahman murdered in Adabor on September 3, 2017 Local Jubo League activist Tosir Uddin murdered in Mohammadpur on August 9, 2017 Brass businessman Jakir Hossain murdered in Gendaria on April 1, 2017 Jubo League leader Mainuddin murdered in Gulshan area in January, 2017 Businessman Razibul Islam murdered in Old Dhaka in July, 2016 Sanitary goods contractor Basai Shikder murdered in Rampura on January 22, 2016 Businessman Abdul Mannan murdered in Wari area in August, 2015 Jubo League leader Md Arif was murdered in Khilgaon area on April 8, 2015 Awami League leader Jahangir Alam murdered in Agargaon on August 9, 2014 Local Sechchasebak League leader Mahbubur Rahman murdered in January 23, 2014 Businessman Riazul Islam Lalu murdered in Shyampukur area on September 10, 2014 |
* Source: Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)
According to police sources, almost all of these murders are a result of disputes arising from establishing dominance across Dhaka, and disputes over controlling cable TV businesses and extortion rackets.
A criminal gang named Dalim-Robin Group is reportedly responsible for hiring contract killers to murder their business rivals. Some members of the gang have escaped abroad, while the rest are either in custody of the police, or killed in reported gunfights.
Addressing the matter, DMP Detective Branch (DB) Additional Deputy Commissioner Shahjahan Shaju said: “Many culprits involved in criminal activities in Badda area, such as establishing dominance in the area and controlling the cable TV business, have been arrested.
“We are working to prepare charge sheet for cases filed against these criminals. We are working to bring back those behind the murders, who have escaped abroad and on the run from the law.”
Police sources said the rate of murders over establishing dominance has gone down significantly in Dhaka because of police action against the culprits and arrests of suspects.
