Saad-Sajid; Dbarta24 — A comprehensive intelligence report compiled by Police Headquarters and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has revealed a disturbing surge in juvenile crime across Bangladesh, identifying at least 386 active teen gangs with over 4,250 members operating nationwide.
The alarming data underscores a growing threat to public safety, with these juvenile syndicates heavily involved in violent muggings, extortion, narcotics trafficking, armed dominance displays, and street violence.
Reign of Terror in Capital Hotspots
According to DMP data, Dhaka alone hosts 159 active juvenile gangs comprising 1,812 members.
The Mohammadpur area has emerged as the most critical hotspot with 27 gangs and over 350 members, followed by Pallabi with 16 gangs and 160 members.
The real-world terror inflicted by these groups was vividly demonstrated on August 22 near the Rayerbazar Community Center in Mohammadpur.
Local content creator Md. Hanif was confronted in broad daylight by a youth identifying as a member of the “Sumon Group.”
After Hanif resisted an attempted mugging, the suspect returned ten minutes later accompanied by gang members armed with cleavers and samurai swords, hunting Hanif and his associate through the streets.
“They try to drag people into narrow alleys to rob them,” Hanif recalled after escaping into the Rayerbazar Police Outpost.
“Even though they are young, they operate as dangerous criminal units. Muggings like this happen regularly day and night.”
Gang Footprint Across Bangladesh
Beyond the capital, police records catalog 227 active teen gangs with 2,550 members across various metropolitan areas and districts.
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Chittagong Metropolitan: 98 gangs (Highest outside Dhaka)
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Noakhali District: 25 gangs (Highest at the district level)
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Sylhet Metropolitan: 15 gangs
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Rajshahi & Gazipur Metropolitan: 13 gangs each
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Khulna Metropolitan: 7 gangs
Field investigations reveal that official figures may only capture a fraction of the problem. In Dhaka’s Khilgaon area, unregistered groups such as the “Taslim Group” and “Red Line Group” operate alongside listed gangs like “999,” “KG 19,” and “007 TikTok.”
Members frequently parade through residential streets dragging heavy cleavers against paved roads to create sparks, filming the intimidation tactics to post on social media platforms like Instagram.
Lethal Dominance and Evolution into Adult Crime
The violence associated with these groups has repeatedly turned fatal. On April 12, an inter-gang clash in Mohammadpur resulted in the hacking death of Md. Emon, alias “Alex Emon,” leader of the Alex Group.
Just three days later, another youth named Asadul was murdered by rival gang members in the same neighborhood.
Furthermore, community residents in areas like Basabo and Kadamtala report that these groups are increasingly intersecting with adult organized crime.
Several gangs include members aged 28 to 30 who utilize younger teenagers as operatives for illicit drug distribution networks, particularly Yaba trafficking.
Root Causes and Law Enforcement Strategy
Criminologists and police officials attribute the rapid rise of teen gangs to a mix of social and psychological factors, including parental indifference, misuse of social media technology, lack of moral education, absence of healthy recreational outlets, and a desire to project false heroism.
“Teen gang members are driven by a sense of misplaced heroism and financial gain from extortion and drugs, making them easily prone to extreme violence,” said Khondkar Rafiqul Islam, Additional IGP (Crime & Operations) at Police Headquarters.
He noted that gang activity temporarily spiked following the political shifts after August 5, 2024, but emphasized that targeted law enforcement crackdowns have brought the situation under partial control.
“Operations are ongoing, numerous gang members have been brought under the law, and formal cases have been filed,” Additional IGP Islam added. “Crucially, we must ensure that no political factions provide patronage or exploit these youths for criminal motives.”
Police authorities are urging a dual approach—combining strict legal enforcement with proactive family and community interventions—to rescue youth from gang culture and restore street safety across the country.