Police in Khulna have arrested 255 people during an eight-day special operation aimed at curbing crime, recovering illegal firearms and drugs, and improving public safety. The operation, conducted from 6 to 13 October, resulted in the recovery of a pistol, a magazine, two rounds of ammunition and several types of narcotics.
The campaign has been intensified since Mohammad Rezaul Karim took charge as deputy inspector general (DIG) of Khulna Range. Some local residents have reported signs of improvement in the law and order situation since his appointment, although a broader assessment would require sustained evidence of changes in crime levels.
According to police sources, officers recovered 688 yaba tablets, 1.905kg of cannabis and 20 litres of locally produced alcohol in connection with 19 narcotics cases during the eight-day period. A separate firearms case led to the recovery of the pistol, magazine and ammunition.
Police also carried out checks on motorcycles to enforce traffic regulations and take action against violations. A total of 1,875 motorcycles were inspected, resulting in 266 cases being filed. Another 195 people were detained during the checks, according to the information provided by the police.
Suspected members of B-Company arrested
As part of the operation, a joint team comprising Rupsa Police Station officers and members of the district Detective Branch conducted a raid in the Ramnagar area of Rupsa at around 5am on 9 October.
The team arrested Raju Mridha, 42, and recovered a pistol and two rounds of 7.65mm ammunition from him. He is the son of Iman Ali Mridha and a resident of Ramnagar.
Police also arrested several other individuals identified as members of the B-Company group, described in the report as a notorious criminal group operating in the Rupsa area. Those arrested were Mohammad Miraj Gazi, 38; Mohammad Shamim Sheikh, 27; Mohammad Sajjad Hossain Sagar, 23; Saidul Saidur Islam, 41; Sabbir Hossain, 28; Yasin Arafat, also known as Raju, 44; Mohammad Kamal Sheikh, 40; Mohammad Roni Molla, 28; and Sumon Howlader, 31.
The arrests form part of the wider campaign against alleged criminal activity in the district. The allegations against the individuals will be subject to the relevant legal process.
Man arrested in murder investigation
In a separate operation, police from Batiaghata Police Station arrested Anupam Mahaldar, 45, in the Hatbati area at around 3.30am on 13 October. He is the son of Nibhan Mahaldar and a resident of Hatbati.
Police said he was arrested in connection with a murder case registered at Batiaghata Police Station. According to police records, information was also found linking him to three other murder cases.
One of the cases was registered at Khulna Police Station on 8 March 2019. It concerns the recovery of the dismembered body of a young man, Habibur Rahman Sabuj, from different locations in Khulna city on 7 March that year.
After investigating the case, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) submitted a charge sheet naming five accused, including Mahaldar, according to the report. His name was also included in charge sheets in a murder case registered at Khalishpur Police Station under Khulna Metropolitan Police in 2013 and another murder case filed at Phultala Police Station in Khulna district in 2014.
The report also states that Mahaldar was sentenced to three years in prison and fined Tk 10,000 in a theft case registered at Batiaghata Police Station in 2009. Police said further legal action was being taken following his latest arrest.
The inclusion of a person’s name in a charge sheet indicates that investigators have accused them in a case; it does not, by itself, establish guilt in that case. Any pending allegations must be determined through the judicial process.
Police pledge to continue operations
Khulna police have said special operations will continue to protect public safety, prevent the spread of illegal firearms and narcotics, apprehend suspects and improve discipline on the roads.
The arrests, drug seizures and motorcycle checks demonstrate the scale of enforcement activity during the eight-day period. The longer-term impact, however, will depend on sustained crime prevention, effective investigations and the lawful handling of cases through the courts.
