Baklia, one of Chattogram’s main gateway neighbourhoods, has again come under the spotlight after a series of clashes, killings, shootings and armed attacks deepened fear among residents and traders, with locals blaming the violence on battles for territorial dominance and control of illegal businesses.
The latest attack took place on 6 April in the Boluar Dighi Par and Boubazar areas while Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasan Md Shawkat Ali was speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh about the Baklia situation.
A Jubo Dal activist, Minhaz Uddin, was seriously injured in the assault, which spread panic across the area. But no case had yet been filed over the incident.
The violence has followed a string of earlier incidents. On 5 April, at least four people, including a 12-year-old boy, were injured in a clash between two groups over dominance. Police also recovered weapons and a case was later filed.
On 27 October last year, a Chhatra Dal activist was killed and at least 12 others were injured in a clash and shooting on Baklia Access Road. On 30 March, two men were shot dead in broad daylight inside a vehicle on the same road.
Local people alleged that rival groups are fighting over sand extraction, internet and cable television businesses, garment scrap trading, transport routes and drug dealing. Several pockets, including Taktarpol, Char Chaktai,
Badamtali and Jamai Bazar, were identified as active drug points. Traders also complained of extortion and worsening insecurity.
Baklia’s dense slums and narrow lanes were described as providing cover for criminal networks, especially in areas such as Jamai Bazar, Moydar Mill, Boubazar, Boluar Dighi Par, Korbaniganj and around Noman College.
Some outsiders arriving from other districts for work later become involved in juvenile gangs and local muscle networks under political patronage.
A major shift in the local power balance was said to have taken place after the political changeover on 5 August 2024.
Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain rejected any suggestion of backing criminal activity. He told TIMES of Bangladesh that terrorists had no political identity and said nobody could use his name to commit crimes.
He urged the administration to arrest anyone doing so. Baklia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Solaiman said regular drives were under way and action was being taken against criminals.
Residents said the cycle of violence will not end through raids alone. They said that without impartial law enforcement, political will and a coordinated crackdown on extortion, drugs and armed groups, Baklia will remain trapped in a deadly contest for power.
