Gang violence in Jashore has not subsided despite the mass uprising of students and citizens in July 2024.
Instead, at least ten criminal gangs that thrived under political patronage during the Sheikh Hasina regime have become more active.
Although several top leaders went into hiding after 5 August in 2024, their armed cadres remain fully operational.
Intelligence agencies warn that these gangs are planning to destabilise Jashore town and its outskirts, particularly ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election.
Police identify major crime hotspots as the Railway Station, Shankarpur, Central Bus Terminal, Kholadanga, Arabpur, Chachra Raypara and the Bezpara Ansar Camp area.
Key gangs and activities
The Haji Suman gang once dominated large parts of the city, including the Railway Station, Bezpara and Raipara. Formed under political protection, the gang is involved in arms trafficking, extortion, bomb-making, drug dealing, contract killings and juvenile gang recruitment.
Intelligence sources say the gang earned heavily from stealing oil from railway wagons and trafficking drugs using rail routes. Although Suman is in hiding, his deputy Kudrat Khan continues to control operations, while members attempt to blend into new political groups.
The Mansel gang remains influential in Shankarpur, the Central Bus Terminal and Ishaq Road. It is accused of extorting transport operators, controlling bus terminals and facilitating arms and drug trafficking from the Benapole and Sharsha border routes. Police link Mansel’s nephew Rakib to the murder of BNP leader Alamgir.
The gang is also notorious for using advanced firearms and allegedly operating private torture cells. The Anwar Hossain Bipul gang controls large areas including Nilganj, Tatipara and Narendrapur. Bipul, a former upazila vice-chairman and ex-district Chhatra League leader, is considered a key crime mastermind.
His got money mainly from controlling government tenders and land grabbing. Despite remaining in hiding, he reportedly maintains contact with his cadres online. Intelligence agencies fear his weapons could be used to disrupt elections.
The Tak Milon gang, led by former Jubo League leader Jahid Hasan Milon, controlled strategic entry points such as Palbari and Chuadanga Bus Stand. Although Milon was arrested in December, his network remains active. The gang specialised in bomb-making, illegal gambling and contract killings, with several suspected bomb-making sites still intact.
The Dim Ripon gang, led by former municipal councillor Sahidur Rahman alias Dim Ripon, controls parts of eastern Jashore and is involved in arms, drugs and gold smuggling. Despite being officially listed as absconding, he is reportedly still active locally.
Other active groups include the Golden Sabbir gang around the Central Bus Terminal, the Khora Kamrul gang in Kholadanga and Arabpur, the Faraji Ashikul Islam Badhan gang controlling Jashore’s main markets, the Raju Ahmed gang in Narendrapur and surrounding areas, as well as remnants of the Koshai Moni and Syed Mansur gangs operating in Bou Bazaar and Upashahar.
Police and public response
District police say surveillance has been intensified, joint forces deployed and illegal arms recovery prioritised. Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Abul Bashar confirmed that several top criminals, including Tak Milon, Raju Ahmed and Golden Sabbir, have already been arrested, while efforts continue to capture others.
Local residents warn that unless the financial networks and armed structures of these ten gangs are dismantled immediately, holding a peaceful parliamentary election in Jashore will be extremely difficult. Besides, these politically nurtured gangs risk becoming a long-term “time bomb” for law and order in the district.
