For nearly two years, Khulna has been living under a growing shadow of fear.
A surge in killings, attacks, extortion and juvenile gang activity has unsettled the south-western divisional city, with residents, business owners and law enforcement agencies warning that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to control.
The crisis has become particularly visible in August this year, when many businessmen switched off their mobile phones to avoid extortion threats.
For many residents, the fear is no longer limited to isolated criminal incidents. It has become a daily concern over personal safety, business security and the ability of authorities to restore normalcy.
Law enforcement officials say organised groups are exploiting “mob” violence and intimidation tactics to create fear and disrupt public order. They admit that such incidents have affected the confidence of field-level police officers, making crime prevention more challenging.
Police officials said they cannot tackle the crisis alone and called for a coordinated response involving political parties, social and cultural organisations, professional groups and civil society.
Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju told TIMES of Bangladesh, “After 5 August 2024, this region has been flooded with killings and drugs. Recent incidents of violence are alarming. Fear has spread across the city. Businesspeople say they cannot even pick up their phones due to fear of extortionists. This situation cannot continue.”
A city gripped by violence
Khulna Metropolitan Police said 24 murders were recorded in the city during the first seven months and 20 days of this year. Nine of these were linked to drug-related disputes.
During the period, 2,819 suspected criminals were arrested and sent to jail, but police said many returned to criminal activities after securing bail.
Recent incidents have highlighted the range of violence affecting the city.
On 19 August, Nazmul and Md Manzurul Islam were killed within three hours in the Shishu Bagan Ashi Bigha area under Labanchara Police Station.
The previous night, Mir Mamun, an associate of listed criminal Grenade Babu’s “B Company”, was shot in Debipur village under Rupsa upazila.
A youth named Raju was also beaten to death near the main mosque at Rayermohol Bazar.
Other incidents included the killing of Joy Dhali in Rupsa on 15 August, the shooting of Jubo Dal activist Fakhrul Sheikh on 12 August and an armed attack on Kuet professor Rafiqul Islam in Mujgunni residential area.
A housewife, Shimul, was shot in Sonadanga on 10 August, while Batiaghata Upazila Food Controller Officer Anindya Kumar Das was hacked on 9 August.
On 1 August, a youth named Ismail was shot dead in Tutpara.
However, officials and analysts say the issue extends beyond individual crimes. They point to the growth of organised groups, drug networks, illegal weapons and territorial conflicts as major drivers behind the instability.
Weapons pipeline raises concern
A review of recent killings shows that criminals have used similar firearms in several incidents.
Law enforcement agencies say most illegal weapons are entering Khulna from Jashore and border districts.
RAB-6 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Nistar Ahmed told TIMES that criminal networks are avoiding detection by transporting weapons in separate parts.
“Instead of bringing complete firearms, they send barrels, magazines, receiver covers and trigger mechanisms separately before assembling them later,” he said.
The method makes detection difficult and allows criminal groups to build weapons networks while reducing the risk of interception.
Criminal networks turn to technology
The challenge for law enforcement has also expanded into the digital space.
Police say criminal groups are increasingly using messaging applications to coordinate attacks and evade arrest.
Intelligence officials said criminals also use encrypted communication platforms, creating difficulties for investigators.
Khulna Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner and Detective Branch chief Mohammad Ahaduzzaman Mia said criminals often use masked numbers that are difficult to trace.
“They carry out attacks in one area and move elsewhere immediately. Improving technological capacity among intelligence agencies is essential to identifying and controlling them,” he said.
After political change, old networks disrupted
Law enforcement agencies and legal experts believe criminal groups took advantage of the political transition on 5 August 2024.
They said that before the change in power, certain groups controlled criminal networks and territories. After the transition, the absence of those controls created competition among gangs seeking dominance.
Khulna University Law Department head Punam Chakrabarty told TIMES that the problem was not limited to Khulna.
“This is not only a Khulna issue; it has become a broader national pattern. A once peaceful city has become troubled by killings and robberies,” she said.
She said some young people involved in political movements had misunderstood power and begun viewing intimidation as strength.
“Neither families nor the administration have been able to effectively control them,” she said.
She also criticised incidents where arrested criminals were welcomed with flower garlands after release, saying such practices weakened police morale.
Police struggle to regain confidence
Mohammad Tajul Islam, who was transferred from his post as Khulna District Police Superintendent two days ago, blamed drugs, territorial disputes and extortion for the region’s worsening law and order situation.
“About 95 per cent of murders in this region are linked to drug-related issues,” he told TIMES before his transfer.
Asked why police were struggling to control the situation, he said, “There is a sense of fear among field-level officers. We are trying to restore police morale.”
He added that political support for criminals was also contributing to the problem.
“Someone secretly assists criminals. This is why terrorist and extremist activities are increasing in the region,” he said.
Khulna Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) SM Shakiluzzaman said police operations were continuing.
“We are recovering weapons and drugs. Arrests have also been made,” he said.
He said one suspect, Saifi, had emerged in two murder cases in Harintana area but was released on bail from the High Court.
However, civil society representatives questioned whether arrests alone could solve the problem.
Khulna civil society member secretary Babul Howladar said authorities already had lists of criminals and their weapons.
“The criminals are known, and their weapons are known, but they are not being recovered and the offenders are not being arrested,” he said.
Demand for coordinated action
Khulna Metropolitan BNP President and Khulna Development Authority Chairman SM Shafiqul Alam Mona said criminal activities must be stopped immediately.
“The fear among city residents must be removed through effective action,” he said.
Khulna City Corporation Administrator Manju said he had discussed the issue with the new KMP commissioner.
“If special camps are established in crime-affected areas, criminal activities can be reduced. The city corporation is ready to provide all possible support,” he said.
For residents, however, the central question remains whether authorities can move beyond short-term arrests and restore confidence in a city where fear has increasingly become part of everyday life.
