Photo : Messenger
The notorious Kishore (teenage) gang members in the metropolitan area of Rajshahi have turned out to be reckless and more dangerous in recent time. They have gained notoriety for their involvement in a series of criminal activities, including murder, criminal attacks, extortion, drug sales, drug consumption, theft, and robbery.
Disturbingly, reports suggest that these young gang members are also sexually harassing school and college-going girls on the streets.
According to police sources, the cybercrime unit of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) created a database of over five hundred Kishore gang members in the metropolis a couple of years ago. But due to the lack of regular police surveillance, local Kishore gang members are once again roaming in the metropolis. New groups are also being formed. Robberies and stabbings are daily occurrences. They are even grouping together and are seen openly dancing with weapons in their hands.
The situation has taken a dangerous turn, particularly during the morning and evening hours, when juvenile robbers have made the streets of Rajshahi metropolis unsafe.
Police apprehended seven Kishore gang members last Tuesday night, along with a significant quantity of locally made weapons in various areas of the city.
Victims of these gang-related incidents have reported a rise in their daring activities. The teenagers are often spotted racing motorcycles on city roads, harassing women, and stealing from unsuspecting pedestrians. Each group within the Kishore gang reportedly possesses various types of weapons.
One incident that recently garnered public attention involved the severe injury of a young man named Arafat in the Gangpara area of Shah Makhdum police station. A video that went viral on social media depicted teenage gang members dancing with weapons, such as Chinese axes, sharp knives, and ram-das, to the beat of music.
The video's virality prompted a wave of criticism on social media, leading the police to take action. The RMP's Shah Makhdum police station arrested seven juvenile gang members from different parts of the city after the video gained notoriety.
The arrested individuals, Rafiqul Islam Samrat, Najmus Sakib Abir, Mohaiminul Sheikh, Jisad, Sohel Rana, Monirul Islam Apurbo, and Maruf Hossain, all reside in the Shah Makhdum Thana area of the city. During preliminary interrogations, they provided the police with information about their involvement in various crimes, particularly on the roads surrounding Amchattar in Rajshahi.
Sources suggest that several groups of juvenile gangs, operating under different names, have formed in various wards and neighbourhoods in Rajshahi. One of these groups, known as the "Ten Star Boy," gained wide recognition after it seriously injured four youths on May 2 in Chotabongram Paschimpara of Chandrima police station.
The city has been plagued by their criminal activities, ranging from coconut theft to pole wire theft, extortion, and robbery. Additionally, they have been accused of harassing school- and college-going girls.
Eminent educationist Prof. Habibur Rahman has expressed concern about the recent increase in theft, robbery, and juvenile crime in the city. Especially 16- to 22-year olds are reckless members of this gang. At this age, they want to show heroism. That is why they are involved in various crimes. Due to social degradation, they are not giving importance to formal education. It is the responsibility of the administration and public representatives to bring them back on track.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime and Operations), Bijoy Basak, admitted to reporters that there has been an upsurge of juvenile gangs in recent times. He said that a digital database of about 500 members of the Kishore gang was created a year and a half ago. But now this number is at least 650.
New groups are getting organised in different areas, sources in the police said. However, there is strict police surveillance on them. No one can get away with any crime. Hence, police said, there is nothing to panic about.
Messenger/Disha
