Under the shadow of political patronage, a new wave of lawlessness is sweeping through Dhaka’s premier neighbourhoods. From the high-end streets of Gulshan to the sprawling blocks of Uttara and Mirpur, notorious “kishore gangs” have set their sights on a lucrative new target – the city’s bars.
No longer restricted to petty street crime, these juvenile syndicates are allegedly weaponising law enforcement raids to fuel a sophisticated extortion machine, leaving residents, business owners, and police locked in a tense standoff over the capital’s safety.
As mobs, muggings and extortions become almost daily occurrences, the surge in bar-centric crime is raising urgent questions about how these gangs operate with such impunity and who is truly providing them cover.
Gangs spread terror across Dhaka
According to police officials, Uttara alone hosts at least 10 to 12 active juvenile gangs, with high activity in Azampur, Abdullahpur, Borobag, Jashimuddin, Moylar More, and Sector 14.
Local residents are reportedly living in fear of groups such as “Big Boss,” “PK Group,” “Chapati Sumon Group,” “First Heater Boys,” “Nine Star Group,” and “Disco Boys.”
In the Mirpur division, 32 gangs have been identified, with 14 active in Pallabi alone. These groups are led by individuals including Sumon, Pichchi Babu, Bihari Russell, Saiful, Sabbir, Noyon, Mobarak, Bablu, and Rajon, alongside the notorious “Bicchu Bahini.”
In Mirpur 10, the “Bahubali Group” has become a significant source of public panic.
Police have also identified 11 active groups in Gulshan, while in Wari, two gangs known as ‘Molla’ and ‘Sona’ are operational. These gangs typically become aggressive from dusk until dawn, specifically targeting bars for extortion and mugging.
Resident grievances and bar crisis
Local residents in residential areas have expressed frustration over the noise and chaos caused by loud music and late-night alcohol consumption.
They allege that criminals take advantage of the presence of university-going women who visit these establishments under late-night permissions.
Residents also noted that police often remain silent while gang members roam the streets on motorbikes. Furthermore, there are reports of underage individuals frequenting bars, some falling ill after consuming adulterated or counterfeit liquor.
Bar owners allege law enforcement harassment
The Bangladesh Hotel Restaurant and Bar Owners Association has hit back, claiming that police, RAB, and other agencies are conducting raids without the necessary approval from the Department of Narcotics Control.
The association alleges that alcohol is being unfairly branded as ‘drugs’ to justify harassment.
Jahangir Alam, President of the association, claimed that a “certain quarter” is attempting to collect large sums of monthly protection money by threatening raids. He also accused the police of violating the rights of permit-holders by publicising their photographs during searches.
Bar owners in Uttara reported receiving threats – sometimes under the guise of religious organisations like Tawhidi Janata – stating their establishments will be shut down unless they provide specific benefits.
The association highlighted controversial raids at several venues, including Park View, K&B, and Thai International Recreation Club in Mirpur; Raw Canvas and Kingfisher in Gulshan; Combi in Uttara; and Block In Restaurant in Wari.
What’s the official response?
Touhidul Haq, associate professor and crime expert at the University of Dhaka’s Institute of Social Welfare and Research, stated that juvenile offenders are exploiting legal age protections.
He emphasised that police action alone is insufficient and called for increased social awareness, parental monitoring, and enhanced intelligence surveillance.
DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Nazrul Islam assured that operations to apprehend juvenile gangs would be intensified, particularly in bar-heavy areas.
Addressing the allegations of harassment, DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) NM Nasiruddin issued a statement clarifying that police take action based on specific allegations of crime, threats to public safety, violations of licence conditions, or the storage of illegal drugs.
He added that departmental and legal action is taken against any officer if specific evidence of extortion or harassment is provided.
