RAB struggles as slums fuel crime networks

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Tuesday admitted that it has struggled to keep ahead of muggers and drug peddlers operating along the Dhaka airport-Gazipur road despite regular crackdown operations, as new offenders continue to emerge from nearby slum areas.

RAB-1 Commander Lt Col Md Neyamul Halim Chowdhury said repeated drives had resulted in hundreds of arrests, but criminal networks were being replenished quickly.

Speaking at a press briefing at the RAB media centre in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar, the commander said slums along the route were contributing to the continued presence of muggers and drug traders.

The briefing was arranged mainly to announce the arrest of Sayedul Islam in connection with the murder of his wife in Gazipur’s Sreepur, but discussions later turned to the mugging situation in Uttara.

Lt Col Neyamul said law enforcement agencies had intensified operations in Uttara, with police arresting 82 people on the first day and nearly 100 on the second day during recent drives.

He said RAB-1 had also conducted a raid at Tongi Railway Station and the Mazar slum last week, arresting around 17 people.

The commander said the crackdown against muggers and drug traffickers would continue, adding that around 1,200 people involved in mugging, extortion and drug-related activities had been arrested from Uttara and surrounding areas this year.

Responding to a question about people allegedly sheltering or backing muggers, Lt Col Neyamul said RAB was collecting intelligence and would take action against anyone found assisting criminals.

He said investigators had already identified some names but were withholding details to avoid affecting the ongoing investigation.

The RAB commander said authorities were focusing not only on arresting street-level offenders but also identifying those operating behind criminal activities.