The murder of Ishayat Shahriar Apratim has brought Cumilla’s growing juvenile gang problem into sharp focus, prompting a district-wide police crackdown that detained 624 people overnight.
Of them, 451 teenagers were released into their guardians’ custody after written undertakings, while 173 others were sent to court after legal action in cases involving drugs, criminal activities, banned organisation activities, and arrest warrants.
The crackdown, however, also exposed the difficulties law enforcement agencies face in controlling juvenile gangs. In Daudkandi, a group of teenagers and youths allegedly entered a police station and freed 17 detainees arrested during the drive, with allegations of vandalism inside the station.
The operation was conducted from Wednesday night to Thursday morning across Cumilla city and different parts of the district. Police said they targeted juvenile gang gathering spots, crime-prone areas and suspicious locations to prevent teenagers and youths from getting involved in crime.
Cumilla District Additional Superintendent of Police Md Lutfur Rahman said that the criminal records of those detained were being verified and necessary legal action would be taken. He said such operations would continue to curb juvenile gangs and related crimes.
Police station breach exposes challenge
During the anti-gang operation, Daudkandi Model Police Station detained around 50 teenagers and youths on Wednesday evening.
Later, a group of teenagers and youths allegedly entered the station and freed 17 of the detainees. They were also accused of damaging chairs and tables inside the station.
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the group entered the station chanting slogans and took away the detainees.
However, Officer-in-Charge Sajedul Islam denied that any attack or vandalism took place inside the station. A video showing alleged vandalism inside the station has meanwhile circulated on social media.
The incident has raised fresh questions over the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent organised activities by groups of teenagers and youths.
Arrests fail to break cycle
Cumilla Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman said police had detained a large number of juvenile gang members and taken legal action against them in recent months.
However, many were returning to similar activities after being released from jail. In many cases, parents secured their release by providing undertakings, he said.
The police superintendent said authorities were preparing a broader plan, including a database of juvenile gang members, to conduct targeted operations.
Regarding the Apratim murder, he said families, law enforcement agencies, and political leaders all had roles to play in reducing juvenile gang activities.
He added that controlling such crimes was not possible with one police member serving more than 2,500 people and required a combined effort from families, communities, politicians, and law enforcement agencies.
Crime concerns extend beyond gangs
The juvenile gang problem comes amid wider concerns over Cumilla’s law and order situation. The district recorded 104 murders in the first nine months of this year, averaging more than 11 killings a month.
Police and case records suggest the killings were linked to family disputes, land conflicts, previous enmity, and attempts to establish dominance.
The district has also witnessed allegations of robbery, theft, extortion, and drug-related crimes.
‘They did not become criminals overnight’
Badrul Huda Jenu, former president of Sachetan Nagarik Committee (Sanak), Cumilla unit, said children and teenagers do not become criminals overnight.
Referring to the Apratim murder case, he said the accused, including Tuhin and Fahad, were not drawn into crime suddenly. Long-standing family and social problems contributed to their involvement, he said.
He blamed lack of family awareness and failures in preventive action by law enforcement agencies for allowing such crimes to grow.
“Law enforcement agencies need to focus on preventing crimes rather than becoming active only after incidents occur,” he said.
Jenu said the reckless lifestyles of young people over the past two years had become a matter of concern. He called for coordinated initiatives involving families, society and the state to address the crisis.
