Staff Reporter:
Chanpara slum at Rupganj under Narayanganj has heated up again with armed groups at loggerheads after death of crime lord Bazlu member.
Bazlu died of illness at prison ward of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on March 31. People of the area expected to live in peace, but their desire has become a distant dream. His demise is followed by internal conflict among other armed groups to establish supremacy. In last two weeks, 25 persons received injuries in sporadic clashes and were admitted to hospital. Of them, four persons are bullet-hit.
Desperate bid to establish supremacy in the slum, vie for member post in the upcoming by-polls to the union parishad, and instigation from the influential quarter are blamed for new unrest in the slum.
An investigation shows that members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) came under criminal attack during raid against drug peddlers and armed cadres on September 27 last year. Bazlu member, his cohorts Raza, City Shahin and some others committed the attack. They are known as active supporters of local MP Golam Dastagir Gazi. Raza was instantly arrested while City Shahin was killed in gunfight with law enforcers on November 10. After 12 days, RAB-1 arrested Bazlu. His opponents ‘dacoit’ Shamsher, and Shahabuddin took control of the area at the behest of Dastagir MP. A new gang led by Shamsher, Shahabuddin and Mohila League leader Rita was formed to continue extortion, drug peddling and other crimes in the slum.
Following death of Bazlu, the member post fell vacant requiring by-polls. In absence of Bazlu, another gang comprising his drug associates Yasmin and Joynal came into being.
To establish uninterrupted dominance, Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi have been allegedly patronising two groups.
Sources said the two groups are now out of control and locked in sporadic clashes.
On Tuesday night, a violent clash between Shamsher and Joynal groups left 25 persons critically injured.
Situation of Chanpara slum, already den of terror, has aggravated further. Drug peddlers, molom party, ogyan party, robbers, dacoits and arms dealers have turned so desperate that common people are panicked.
Local people said law enforcers will not be able to resist the criminals if political shelter continues.
