Juvenile gang activity is on the rise across Bangladesh, with at least 237 groups identified nationwide, including 118 operating in the capital Dhaka, according to police data, underscoring growing concerns over youth-driven violent crime.
Members, typically aged between 14 and 20, are involved in extortion, robbery, drug trafficking and turf wars, often wielding machetes and, in some cases, firearms, law enforcement officials say. Police estimates suggest the total number of gang members nationwide has reached around 50,000.
An internal report by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) found that more than 20,000 juveniles are engaged in criminal activities in the capital alone, accounting for roughly 40% of offenders.
According to the data, Mirpur and Tejgaon divisions have the highest concentration of gangs, with 32 and 26 groups respectively. They are followed by Wari (13), Gulshan (11), Lalbagh and Motijheel (10 each), Uttara (10) and Ramna (6). At the thana level, Mohammadpur has the highest number with 16 active gangs, while Pallabi has 14.
Authorities and analysts say a mix of weak enforcement, easy bail and socio-economic pressures is fuelling the trend.
Experts say gaps in the juvenile justice system allow offenders to cycle quickly back into crime. Juveniles are often sent to correctional facilities instead of prison and released within a short period.
“Although they are minors, the nature of their crimes is often as serious as those committed by adults,” said Touhidul Haque, associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research of the University of Dhaka, adding that enforcement must be strengthened and those patronising such groups brought under the law.
Criminologists also point to inequality, social exclusion and a sense of “heroism” as key drivers. “Many feel deprived and are emotionally vulnerable due to their age. In some cases, they are being used by others,” said Prof Muhammad Omar Faruk of Department of Criminology and Police Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University.
Police officials say many gangs operate under the informal protection of local political actors, moving in groups on motorcycles and asserting dominance in neighbourhoods through violence and intimidation.
Recent incidents highlight the growing brutality.
16 gangs active in Mohammadpur
According to police, a young man named Asadul Haque, also known as “Lambu Asadul” (28), was hacked to death in the Sadeq Khan Itkhola area of Rayerbazar in Dhaka on Wednesday night.
After midnight, Asadul was taken there by a friend. An altercation broke out with associates who were lying in wait. At one point, his own associates stabbed him and fled the scene.
He was taken to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in a bloodied condition around 12:45am, where doctors declared him dead. A knife was recovered from his pocket.
Three days earlier, on 12 April, members of the Arman–Shahrukh juvenile gang attacked members of the Alex Imon group in the Buddhijibi Road Beribadh area of Mohammadpur. During the clash, Imon fell while trying to flee. He was then attacked and had his ankle severed by members of the Arman–Shahrukh group. He later died after being taken to hospital.
Earlier, in Adabar, another juvenile gang carried out a “film-style” attack on a courier worker, hacking him and looting his belongings. At knife-point, they also robbed mobile phones and cash from bystanders.
Mohammadpur was once terrorised by the “Kobzikata Anwar” gang, while the “Arman–Shahrukh” group, known for severing ankles, has now become a new source of fear.
According to DMP data, Mohammadpur alone has 16 active groups, including Alex Imon, Arman–Shahrukh, Patali, Level High, Kobzikata Anwar, Army Aslam–Nabi, Daila, Akbar, Gangchil and Takkor Lo, among others.
Fear in Mirpur
Meanwhile, several gangs are operating freely in Mirpur, with frequent clashes reported over territorial dominance.
On Pohela Baishakh night around 8pm, a violent clash broke out at Chalantika Mor between the Sajib group and the Dipto–Munna group of juvenile gangs. CCTV footage showed Sajib snatching a machete during the incident. Members of the Dipto–Munna group later hacked Sajib, leaving him critically injured before fleeing the scene. Witnesses said the attackers were carrying machetes and whips.
However, Sajib’s family has denied his involvement in gang activity and demanded justice against the Dipto–Munna group.
In Mirpur-10, the WAPDA Building area has become a source of fear due to the presence of the juvenile gang “Bahubali,” which reportedly conducts open displays of weapons in the area. A deserted building owned by the city corporation is allegedly being used as their base.
On 10 April, a day labourer named Shamim was taken hostage by members of the Bahubali group while he was out buying food. After failing to extort money from him, they severely hacked and injured him.
Police headquarters officials said the number of juvenile gangs has nearly doubled from around 127 in the past, rising sharply following a period of weakened law enforcement in August 2024.
“Juvenile gangs have become a social menace. This cannot be tackled by police alone,” said AHM Shahadat Hossain, assistant inspector general (media) at police headquarters, stressing the need for coordinated action involving families, communities and political stakeholders.
