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a crowded market in Chattogram’s Raozan upazila. CCTV footage showed five to seven armed men arriving in an autorickshaw, three carrying pistols and two shotguns. They opened fire at close range, then fired shots in the air before fleeing.

Residents now describe Raozan as a “terror zone”.

Law enforcement sources say at least 25 people have been killed there since August 5, 2024, with 18 deaths linked to political disputes. At the same time, more than a hundred incidents of shooting and clashes were reported, leaving over 350 people injured, including many with bullet wounds.

Local sources said most victims were BNP leaders or activists, although police have not officially confirmed all political affiliations.

In Khulna, a BNP activist was shot dead on Friday, while assailants opened fire inside a mosque during Fajr prayers on Sunday in Khulna city’s Doulatpur, injuring two worshippers.

In Dhaka, Yeasin Khan alias “Kailla Palash”, described by police as a top-listed criminal, was shot in the head and critically injured in West Rampura on Friday, barely a month after his release from prison.

These incidents continue to occur despite ongoing law enforcement operations. Since May 1, police have arrested over 18,000 people under a special nationwide drive.

However, criminologists argue these measures are falling short.

Omar Faruk, a professor at the department of criminology and police science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University in Tangail, criticised the government for failing to restore order.

“The law and order situation has not yet reached the level we had expected,” Faruk said, pointing out that law enforcement agencies have not been restructured.

Faruk noted that over 1,000 weapons missing from police stations remain unrecovered, while regular arms smuggling continues. He added that many criminals released after August 5, 2024, still possess weapons and are committing crimes under political patronage.

Faruk said the criminals are taking advantage of a lenient stance by law enforcement agencies, believing they can easily get away with their actions. He also alleged high-level involvement between these criminals and influential figures.

“In this situation, what was needed was to reorganise the police force. Efforts to form an independent police commission did not succeed due to political disagreements. As a result, police accountability and professionalism have not improved as expected.”

Due to a lack of government and political will, the policy measures that needed to be taken could not be implemented. “As a result, the law and order is steadily deteriorating, creating a safe haven for criminals,” Faruk said.

POLITICAL, UNDERWORLD RIVALRIES

Law enforcement officials said violence has escalated since the political changeover in August, 2024, as several notorious gang leaders and convicted criminals returned to the streets after being released from prison or returning from abroad.

Investigators believe these figures are trying to reclaim lost turf, rebuild networks, and settle old scores.

Among those released or returned are Abbas Ali alias “Killer Abbas”, Sweden Aslam, Imamul Hasan Helal alias “Pichchi Helal”, Sanjidul Islam Emon, Khondaker Nayeem alias “Titon”, Khorshed Alam alias “Freedom Rasu”, Molla Masud, and Tokai Sagor.

There has been a long-running rivalry between Emon of Hazaribagh and Pichchi Helal of Mohammadpur, both listed among 23 “top criminals” in 2001.

Titon, who was Emon’s brother-in-law, was shot dead near New Market on April 28. His family blamed Helal, while Helal pointed to Emon’s associates. No arrests have been made.

In January last year, Emon was accused of attacking Helal’s brother, Wahedul Hasan Dipu, on Elephant Road over extortion.

On November 10, another top-listed criminal, Tariq Saif Mamun, was gunned down near the court area in Dhaka. Detectives believe his killing was linked to a struggle with Emon for dominance in the capital’s underworld.

Besides, political violence also drew attention with several killings.

Human Rights Support Society documented 64 political violence incidents in May, leaving five dead and 289 injured, including 11 shot. In April, 98 incidents left six dead and 533 injured, with 37 shot. In March, 113 incidents left at least 18 dead and 912 injured, with 15 shot.

Many of these incidents involved BNP men, according to the rights organisation.

BNP activist Nasir Uddin, 55, was shot dead in Raozan on April 26, and BNP leader Kausaruzzaman, 36, was killed there on April 24. On April 2, Chhatra Dal leader Imran Hossain, 27, was shot and hacked to death in Pabna’s Ishwardi.

Former Rupsha Sramik Dal president Masum Billah, 55, was shot dead in Khulna on March 5, while Mollahhat Sramik League general secretary Sheikh Sohel, 42, was killed in Bagerhat on March 14.

Khondaker Rafiqul Islam, additional inspector general (crime and ops) at the Police Headquarters, said law enforcement forces are shaking off their inertia.

“We are putting a lot of effort into investigations after every incident, and success is also coming,” he said.

He said underworld criminals previously feared unconstitutional actions. Now, police are working by respecting human rights and international laws.

About political killings, Rafiqul said police alone cannot stop internal party conflicts.

“These are social crimes, and many things, including economic factors, are involved in this,” he said, adding that the government has issued clear instructions to show no leniency to criminals, regardless of their political identity.

“We are telling our members not to act based on any political identity. Those against whom indications of such crimes are found must be brought under the law.”