Youth gangs active again, killing lives for trivial reasons



Al-Amin Raju, Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Picture: Collected

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Amir Hossain (18), son of Hafiz Ahmed, a resident of Kutubkhali area of Jatrabari Police Station of the capital assistant in printing press by profession. On the evening of February 7, while protecting his friend, the rival youth was seriously injured by the stabbing of the gang members. Currently, Amir is suffering from body pain in the bed of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He can't speak normally.

Referring to the day of the incident, Amir's mother Mumtaz Begum said, 'My two sons work in a printing press in Fakirapool area. On the evening of the 7th, two brothers came home. I fed them. Meanwhile, Amir leaves the house leaving the food bowl. A little later I heard some beat Amir.

Mumtaz Begum also said, 'My husband has been sick for a long time. Can't do any work. With two sons and the income I earned from working as a housekeeper in people's houses, I used to manage my family with great difficulty. I do not understand what to do in this critical situation. I am struggling to meet my son's medical expenses. I do not understand how to proceed.

Amir Hossain survived but his friend Jamal Hossain (18), a welding worker, was seriously injured by the opponent's sharp weapons.

He was killed before reaching the hospital by the sharp weapons of rival gang gangs. Sufia Begum, the mother of the deceased, filed a murder case as the plaintiff in this incident at Jatrabari police station. 6 people involved in the murder were arrested.

Uncle Iqbal Hossain could not accept the death of his nephew, said, 'My nephew used to work hard. There was nothing wrong with him. I do not understand what happened.

Claiming that he did not know those involved in the murder, Iqbal said, "I do not know those who killed my nephew." No one can say that Jamal had any enmity with them. But what brutally he was killed. At the end of hit by sharp weapon, they took him to the hospital again.

He also said, "My sister filed a case in this incident. After that we don't know anything about this matter. The police also did not tell us anything.

Meanwhile, in the case of Jamal's mother, the perpetrator of the attack was arrested. Sifat (18) and his partner Eman Ghazi (21), Md. Mojahid (18), Manik Mia (18), Zahid Hasan (18) and Md. Asadul (18). From the day of the incident, the controller of Sifat group, local shopkeeper named Masud fled away.

Not only Amir or Jamal, several youth gang groups have become active in the capital's Jatrabari, Gendaria and nearby areas. They are causing incidents like killings with weapons around on petty issues.

According to local sources, one person died and three others were injured in the fight and stabbing of three juvenile gangs in Jatrabari and Gandaria areas for three consecutive days including last January 7. The members of the law and order forces are shaken by this.

Locals said that most clashes occur between senior-junior gangs among juvenile gangs. In addition to being harmed by this, common people are also victims of their attacks. However, the victims do not get redressed because they are under the umbrella of local political leaders.

On February 7 Qutubkhali High School, it was found that there are several youth gang groups active in and around the site of Jamal's murder. They conduct regular drills with gang members to maintain their dominance in the area.

Group members often get into conflict over various trivial issues. The members of Juvenile gang group are divided into senior-junior and show their dominance by chatting, gossiping, using mobile phones and showdown on motorcycles. Most of the members of the group are day laborers or employees of various organizations.

These teenagers who have fallen away from education are getting involved in various crimes in the darkness of the night after their work all day long.

On February 7, news of another youth gang group clash came to the hands of Barta24. After searching, it is known that Tasin Ahmed Zidan and Md. Sabbir were thrashed and stabbed by members of the juvenile gang. The victims are also members of juvenile gangs.

In this incident, the family members of two groups have filed separate cases at Gendaria police station. In Zidan's family case, six persons have been named and 25 others are unknown and in Sabbir's case, five persons have been named as unknown accused.

Officials of the Wari division said, 'low-income people live in the areas of surroundings including Jatrabari. Here juvenile gangs are more active. They work as laborers all day but sit together in the evening to consume drugs. And this is causing various petty crimes. But they are not active youth gang members. So far, no information has been found that they ganged up and attacked the common people. They take drugs under the political umbrella.

Residents of the Kutubkhali area near the Dhaka-Chattogram highway said that low-income people of various professions including rickshaw drivers and fish workers live there. At nightfall, there is a crowded gathering of drugs at various places along the highway. Fights often involve drug use and playing video games on mobile phones which again takes the form of a weapon. And all these drug addicted teenagers are controlled by some local businessmen. All of whom are currently out of the area.

According to the police, several meetings have already been held with local political leaders, public representatives, councilors and local influential people regarding the youth gang problem.

The police are prohibited from taking sides with juvenile gangs and drug dealers. All are warned against using juvenile gang members.

When asked about Jamal murder Gendaria Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Madhusudan Das said, a case has been registered in this incident. Almost everyone involved has been arrested. An operation is underway to catch the rest.

Gendaria Police Station OC Mostafizur Rahman said that one person has been arrested so far in connection with the fight between two separate juvenile gangs. Both of them are involved in petty crimes including drugs. This incident happened due to drug use among them. Injured Tasin Ahmed Zidan has three drug cases in his name.

In this regard, Deputy Commissioner of Wari Division of DMP Iqbal Hossain said that the mastermind has been arrested in connection with the clash between the senior-junior group of the youth gang. It is being investigated whether there is anyone else behind it. However, new strategies are being adopted to control juvenile gangs. In these low-income areas, juvenile gang members will be listed along with scoundrels. 

Three doctors are absent for a long time causing sufferings to the patients



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Barta24.com

Pic: Barta24.com

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The government has taken various initiatives to ensure the presence of doctors and officials in government hospitals. However, a different picture is seen in Barishal's 50- bed Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex. Three doctors of the hospital have been absent for a long time. As a result, patients have to suffer due to lack of proper healthcare.

Allegedly, medical services at the hospital have come to a standstill due to lack of strict supervision. Therefore, many patients are forced to seek treatment in private hospitals.

According to hospital sources, Dr. Abu Bakar Siddique joined Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex as Medical Officer on July 1, 2011. He has been absent since January 4, 2012 after staying at the hospital for just five months. Similarly, Dr. Soma Halder joined the health complex on October 8, 2014. She has also been absent since November 5, 2015, after serving for one year.

Sources also said that Dr. Shahana Rahman joined the hospital on November 25, 2023. She has not been coming to the hospital for the past 8 months.

Although the three mentioned doctors are absent for a long time, no appointments are being made in their place. As a result, patient services are constantly disrupted. Besides, the hospital authorities are also in trouble.

A responsible source of the hospital, on condition of anonymity, said that this alarming situation has arisen due to the non-punishment of those who are negligent in fulfilling their duties. Also there is a lack of strong supervision.

Upazila Health Officer Dr. Bakhtiar Al Mamun said that Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq and Dr. Soma Halder have been given letters to join the workplace several times. But they are still not back to work. A departmental case is ongoing against them. In addition, Dr. Shahana Rahman has been given several letters to join the work. The Civil Surgeon's office has also been informed about the matter.

He also said that the information of doctors is sent to higher authorities and ministries every month. As such, the ministry is aware of the matter. According to the latest information, one doctor may be out of a job. Of the remaining two, one is abroad, the other I don't know where. Regarding the appointment of doctors, he said, appointment is not possible until the posts are vacant. As a result, it will take time to find a new doctor.

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Three coordinators in DB for interrogation



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Pic: Collected

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Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken three people, including Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, into custody from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital. The other two coordinators are Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker Majumdar.

A DB source confirmed this information on Friday (July 26) night.

DB said three coordinators have been brought to the DB office for security and interrogation purposes.

All three of them are students of Dhaka University.

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What the Home Minister said about lifting of the curfew



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Pic: Collected

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Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, everyone has to wait a little with the curfew till public life becomes normal. We are looking at whether the curfew can be relaxed.

He said these things while talking to reporters about the ongoing situation on Friday (July 26) night.

The Home Minister said, we are seeing if the curfew can be relaxed. Police BGB, Army are working. We have to wait a little until public life becomes normal. People should be patient. He also said that a decision may be made subject to discussion on Saturday (July 27).

At that time, he mentioned that there were brutal killings in the name of the movement, and he said, who will take responsibility for this loss of the country? BNP said they are not involved in violence. So who did it? It is a question of the people.

Regarding the arrest of the quota activists, the Home Minister said that the quota agitator leaders themselves are suffering from insecurity. For their safety, law enforcement has been called. Further action will be taken after the inquiry.

Incidentally, the government clamped a curfew from 12 midnight on July 19 to keep the situation normal around the quota reform movement. The army was also deployed.

The curfew was later relaxed for a specified period but has not yet been lifted completely.

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Government to provide treatment & income to all injured: Prime Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government will provide treatment and income to all those injured in the recent violence, regardless of party affiliation.

She said this while visiting the injured at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday (July 26). Meanwhile, she inquired about the physical condition of the injured.

Sheikh Hasina said that the government will do whatever is necessary for the treatment of those injured in the violence. The government will take responsibility for the treatment of the injured, whichever party they belong to.

She also said, even after accepting all the demands on the quota, why is the movement not ending? Everyone at home and abroad should be vocal against the violence and brutality of BNP-Jamaat.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister visited several wards of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and inquired about the injured. She talked to doctors and nurses. She ordered to give all kinds of treatment to the injured.

Earlier in the morning, the head of government visited the Bangladesh Television (BTV) building damaged by vandals' attack and fire at Rampura in the capital.

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