Jamaat voices deep concern over rising public shootings, killings and extortion in Khulna, warns of movement if not curbed
Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the Khulna region have expressed deep concern and anger over a series of killings, public shootings, extortion and the deterioration of law and order in the region in recent times. They voiced the concern in a joint statement issued on Tuesday night (27 October).
In the statement, the leaders said the lives of ordinary people in Khulna have become completely insecure. The statement said killings by public shooting, serious injuries, forcible occupation and extortion are taking place at dawn, in broad daylight, in the evening and in the darkness of night.
The statement also said crimes ranging from petty theft to electric wire theft have increased alarmingly in every neighbourhood of the city, making civic life miserable.
The statement identified the unchecked spread of drugs as the root of this situation. It alleged that although law enforcement agencies admit to finding drug links behind most crimes, they have failed to take effective steps to uproot the criminals.
The statement said gang conflicts and counter-attacks among criminal groups are taking place over drug control and dominance. It said that although law enforcement agencies have solved the mystery of one or two isolated incidents, that is negligible compared with the overall crime picture.
The statement said the patrons and influential figures behind these criminals remain out of reach. It said that although political parties and the conscious citizen society have repeatedly protested and held programmes, no visible activity by the administration or any sign of improvement in the situation can be seen.
On behalf of the Khulna region of Jamaat-e-Islami, the statement warned that terrorism, murder, the drug trade and extortion must be firmly suppressed immediately. Otherwise, it said, a movement will be built together with the general public, and the government and administration will have to bear all responsibility for it.
The statement also strongly demanded that criminals be arrested as quickly as possible and those behind them be brought under the law, so that a normal law and order situation returns to Khulna.
The signatories include Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member and Khulna region director Principal Mohammad Izzat Ullah MP, assistant director Muhaddis Abdul Khaleque MP, region team member Maulana Abul Kalam Azad MP, Principal Maulana Mashiur Rahman MP, Master Shafiqul Alam and Muhaddis Rabiul Bashar MP.
A similar statement was issued by Khulna city ameer Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman and secretary Advocate Sheikh Jahangir Hossain MP, Khulna district ameer Maulana Emran Hossain and secretary Munshi Mizanur Rahman, Bagerhat district nayeb-e-ameer Maulana Rezaul Karim and secretary Sheikh Mohammad Yunus, and Satkhira district ameer Principal Shahidul Islam Mukul and secretary Maulana Azizur Rahman.
