Geneva Camp in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur—long considered a hotspot for crime—remains one of the most challenging areas for law enforcement in Dhaka. Police say they have carried out at least 40 anti-drug and anti-arms raids there this year alone. Despite repeated operations and arrests, crime in the densely populated neighborhood continues unabated. As part of intensified measures, the army and police have now increased special surveillance inside the camp.
According to police, seven checkposts have been installed for the first time to control crime in the area. These points are located at Babar Road Market Camp Bazar, Babar Road Imambara, Babar Road SPBn Gate, Humayun Road Dustbin Lane, Humayun Road Iron Gate, Ghaznabi Road in Mohammadpur, and Mohammadpur High School.
Police further said that nightly raids continue inside the camp, resulting in regular arrests and drug seizures. Over the past three months, 1,600 people have been arrested in Mohammadpur—including Geneva Camp—and 340 cases have been filed. Seven murders have also taken place during this period.
Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Rafique Ahmed told Dhaka Tribune that police had increased special surveillance in Geneva Camp to curb crime and apprehend armed offenders. He said nightly operations were underway and that at least 15 people were being arrested each night. He added that yaba pills, cannabis and other narcotics were being seized regularly.
He noted that 1,600 people had been arrested in the past three months and more than 300 cases had been filed, including murder cases. He said police remained alert regarding the situation in the camp and that any crime would be dealt with strictly.
Army personnel carried out a special operation late Thursday night. A large quantity of explosive materials and narcotics was recovered during the raid.
Sources at the Army’s Bosila Camp said they had received information that fugitive top drug dealer and armed criminal Buniya Sohel had been preparing to make improvised explosives (cocktails) inside a house in Geneva Camp. Four army teams launched the operation, but Sohel escaped after sensing the presence of the troops. The raid continued until 2:30am.
The troops recovered 77 unfinished cocktails, four types of splinters, 400 grams of gunpowder, four samurai-style swords, 490 yaba pills, 2,080 packets of heroin, and cash earned from drug sales.
An officer of the 46 Independent Infantry Brigade said the large cache of explosives suggested possible plans to carry out acts of sabotage in different parts of Dhaka. He said operations would continue until the suspects were captured.
Another senior officer of the same brigade told Dhaka Tribune that regular operations had reduced crime in the camp by around 60 percent. He claimed that nearly 80 percent of the camp’s residents were involved in some form of criminal activity, adding that operations would continue to eliminate crime completely.
He said that Buniya Sohel and his group had recently gone into hiding following army raids and that intelligence surveillance had been increased to capture them.
The powder keg that is Geneva Camp
During a visit to the area on Saturday afternoon, seven police checkposts were observed in and around Geneva Camp, with officers stationed for security. Police patrol vehicles were also seen. Residents, however, said the checkposts—operating from 2pm to 11pm—had had little impact on the drug trade.
Residents told Dhaka Tribune that nightly clashes, lootings and shootings occurred as rival drug groups fought to control drug-selling spots in the camp. They alleged that the attacks were linked to attempts to seize territory previously controlled by Buniya Sohel’s group.
They added that while the checkposts had made drug dealers more cautious, open drug sales resumed after 11pm and continued until dawn.
Hira, a vehicle mechanic and resident of the camp, told Dhaka Tribune that after the checkposts were set up, armed criminals avoided appearing during daylight hours. However, he said their presence increased significantly after midnight. He reported that drug trading continued daily and that disputes over money were causing frequent fights, attacks and counter-attacks.
He said police usually arrived after receiving reports of incidents, by which time the criminals had fled.
Hira also said that sustained operations by law enforcement had significantly weakened the group led by top drug dealer Buniya Sohel. As a result, he said, Chua Selim—who controlled Sector 4 of the camp—had taken advantage of the situation and become more active.
