Alarming rise in murders, other crimes in Khulna
Alarming rise in the number of murders and other serious crimes, mostly involving extortion and drug trafficking, has become a matter of concern for people in Khulna city and district.
Thirteen people were murdered in Khulna city and other places in the district in last two months while the number of murder victims in the district during the 12 months from January to December last year was 14.
Incidents of robbery, rape, theft and eve teasing have also risen in Khulna city recently.
Chhatra Dal activist Raihamul Islam Rabbi was killed on January 4, mason Shahidul Islam was killed by slitting throat on January 11, housewife Hosne Ara was strangled in her Khulna house on January 30, fish vendor Omar Ali of Bagmara under Rupsha upazila was killed the same day, schoolgirl Munira was killed after gang rape at Labonchora and day labourer Yasin Rahman Shuvo was beaten to death at Mujgunni in Khulna city on February 2.
Feroza Begum of Tootpara in Khulna city was beaten to death by her husband on February 16, Abu Musa of Baniakhamar of Khulna city was gunned down by his son and fish exporter Azad Gazi of Phultala upazila of Khulna district was killed in a bomb attack on February 26, Haider Ali and his brother-in-law Tarikul Islam Piku of Banargati in Khulna city were stabbed to death on February 28, Jalil Sheikh and his younger brother Kabir Sheikh of Adampur village under Terokheda upazila were hacked to death at the same time on March 2.
Journalist Khalilur Rahman Sumon of local Dainik Probaho, Joint Secretary of Khulna city Chhatra Dal Abdullah-el-Kafi, leader of Khulna CSD Godown Workers Union Md Babul Khan and Chhatra Shibir activist and student of Daulatpur Government BL College Kamrul Islam were seriously injured in separate attacks by rivals since February 23.
The injured are not yet out of danger, said sources at Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Asked about the increasing number of murders and other crimes, Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commissioner Helaluddin Badri said, "We cannot stop any targeted murder, especially the ones committed due to family feud and interest over financial matters. My forces are working hard to arrest the accused."
Khulna Police Superintendent Tanvir Haider Chowdhury said, "Law and order in the district has not yet gone beyond control. Police is actively working to control crimes. I have no information from any source that outlaws who had gone into hiding during the emergency rule have reappeared anywhere in Khulna district."
Official information, however, shows that law and order situation in the city and district has worsened during last two months in comparison with crimes, particularly murders committed last year.
According to official records of Special Branch of KMP and Khulna district police, 14 murders, including nine in Khulna city and five others elsewhere in the district, were committed from January to December last year.
Murder victims in Khulna city in last year are -- Jubo League activist Parvez Howlader and college girl Shuparna Saha (on January 4), vegetable vendor Shajahan Fakir (February 21), rickshaw puller Jahangir Alam (May 19), drug addict Shujon Karmakar (July 9), KCC ward councillor Shahid Iqbal Bithar (July 11), cold storage employee Noor Islam (August 2), van driver Helal (September 6), ice cream factory worker Ujjal Sheikh (September 19).
Besides, grocer Golam Rasul Mridha of Phultala was murdered on February 21, farmer Joynal Sheikh of Terokheda upazila was killed on May 22, businessman Jahangir Fakir was shot dead in Phultala upazila on June 17, Sharfuddin Biswas and his younger brother Rabiul Biswas of Terokheda upazila were shot dead at the same time on September 22.
Failure to arrest real accused and properly investigate the cases by police is seen by many as the main cause for behind the deterioration of law and order situation in the area.
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