A total of 288 murders were recorded across the 10 districts of Khulna Division between January and October this year, while 302 women and children were reported to have been raped during the same period. Although Jashore topped the divisional murder statistics, Khulna has attracted much of the public attention amid concerns over extortion, violence and criminal activity.
According to figures released by the Khulna Range Deputy Inspector General’s (DIG) office on Saturday, 14 November, Jashore recorded the highest number of murders, with 61 cases. Bagerhat ranked second with 40, followed by Kushtia with 39. Khulna district recorded 36 murders, placing it fourth among the 10 districts.
The figures, however, do not include murders recorded in the eight police stations under Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP). Khulna district police said KMP does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Khulna Range Police. A further 36 murders were recorded in the metropolitan police areas during the same 10-month period. This means the combined number of murders in Khulna district and the metropolitan areas stood at 72, although the two sets of figures are maintained separately.
The remaining districts recorded the following numbers of murders: Jhenaidah 29, Narail 22, Satkhira 21, Chuadanga 17, Magura 15 and Meherpur eight.
Violence against women and children
The statistics also reveal a troubling picture of violence against women and children. During the first 10 months of the year, 978 women and children were subjected to various forms of abuse across the division. Of them, 215 were children.
A total of 302 women and children were reported to have been raped, including 93 children. Police said cases had been filed in connection with the incidents and that a number of suspects had been arrested.
The figures highlight the scale of the challenge facing law enforcement agencies beyond the murders and extortion cases that have dominated recent public discussion. The number of children among those subjected to abuse and rape is particularly concerning, placing renewed emphasis on the need for effective investigations and protection for victims.
Firearms and ammunition recovered
Police also recovered 125 firearms and 224 rounds of ammunition across the division during the same period. The weapons included 27 foreign-made pistols, five locally made pistols, five locally made revolvers and four foreign-made revolvers.
The recovered arms also comprised 43 single-shot guns, 14 pipe guns, five air guns, one double-barrelled gun, 20 other guns and one weapon classified separately as other.
The recovery figures point to the continued circulation of illegal firearms, which can contribute to violent crime and pose a serious threat to public safety.
Extortion and insecurity in Khulna and Bagerhat
Despite recording fewer murders than Jashore and Bagerhat, Khulna has become a particular focus of concern because of allegations of widespread extortion and intimidation. Police said the nature of the reported crimes differed between the neighbouring districts.
In Bagerhat, people carrying cash outside their homes were reportedly at risk of being targeted by muggers. Several high-profile mugging incidents had taken place there over the preceding two months, according to police.
In Khulna, meanwhile, allegations of extortion have raised fears among business owners. Some have reportedly been forced to close their establishments, while others have left the area because of threats and demands for money.
The report also stated that 11 doctors had left the country so far this year because of fear of extortion. They reportedly faced demands for sums ranging from Tk1 crore to Tk2 crore. The alleged incidents have raised concerns about the impact of criminal intimidation on professional life and business activity in the city.
Another challenge in Khulna involves killings near the boundaries between police station jurisdictions. According to the account, attackers have shot victims in one police station area before crossing into a neighbouring jurisdiction, making it harder to pursue them. The situation points to the importance of coordination and timely information-sharing between police stations.
Bagerhat has faced a different pattern of disturbing incidents. Bodies of men and women have reportedly been found stuffed into sacks in isolated areas near the boundaries of different police stations. Most recently, a young woman’s body was recovered in Rampal on 13 November.
Police response and investigation concerns
The concentration of public attention on murders and extortion in Khulna has also raised concerns that violence against women and children, including rape, in other districts of the division is receiving less attention. The divisional figures suggest that these offences remain a major part of the region’s overall law-and-order challenge.
Asif Iqbal, additional superintendent of police and media focal person at the Khulna Range DIG’s office, said Jashore had the highest number of murders in the division, yet public debate and criticism were largely centred on Khulna.
He said the range police held regular meetings and instructed investigating officers to maintain the required standards when preparing investigation reports. According to him, thorough investigations could help prevent accused individuals from securing immediate bail.
Iqbal also claimed that some suspects were obtaining bail quickly and returning to criminal activities with renewed boldness. He said police operations to arrest those involved in criminal activity were continuing.
The figures present a broader picture of public-safety concerns across Khulna Division. While murder, extortion and illegal firearms remain pressing issues, the scale of violence against women and children demands equal attention. Effective investigations, coordination between police jurisdictions and accountability throughout the judicial process will be essential to addressing the region’s varied security challenges.
