The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Wanted criminals who went into hiding after the January 11 political changeover last year are believed to be staging a comeback in the capital, causing a sudden disruption in the law-and-order situation.

A number of criminals reappeared and engaged in criminal activities ahead of Eid-ul-Fitre and Durga Puja, two biggest religious festivals of the Muslim and the Hindu communities.

A senior police officer told UNB that some underworld kingpins, who fled the country after army-led joint forces had launched the anticrime crackdown under the state of emergency imposed on January 11 last year, are believed to be engaged in criminal activities again and established their control on their areas ahead of the general election.

Bangladesh authorities already have handed over an updated list of 1,648 Bangladeshi criminals said to be hiding in India to the Indian authorities at the director general-level conference between BDR and BSF held in Dhaka recently.

The police administration now seems to have been in a fix as to how to deal with the self-exiled criminals if they enter Bangladesh anytime ahead of the general election-a strong possibility tipped off by intelligence agencies.

In the wake of a fresh slide in law-and-order situation, already admitted by Home Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin and DMP Commissioner Naim Ahmed, the police department has to chart out its operation plan to combat any hazard for ensuing fearless election atmosphere.

General Matin last Monday told reporters that recent upturn in crimes indicated that the law and order in the city took a knock.

He also made a stark observation that suspected muggers and extortionists and terrors came out from their hideouts on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, Durga Puja and the upcoming elections to make a killing on the spending binge.

The Home Adviser ordered the law-enforcing agencies to take stern action against the criminals as the government took serious note of the spurt in the incidence of crime in the capital.

Admitting the situation, DMP Commissioner Naim Ahmed said the law-and-order situation suddenly broke down after four-five months. "Law and order remains good for some time and it turns bad some time."

Many city-dwellers feel that situation might turn for the worse if the listed "top terrors" of Dhaka's criminal gangland, believed to be hiding abroad, return to the capital.

DMP on December 27, 2001 released a list of 23 top terrors published in national dailies with their photographs and also announced bounties for helping arrest of the wanted persons.

Eight on the list-Kamal Pasha, Freedom Sohel, Khurshed Alam alias Rashu, Titon, Liakat, Arman, Moshiur Rahman Kochi and Killer Abbas-were arrested.

Two others were killed-Alauddin in mass beating by an angry mob before the 'Operation Clean Heart' got off on October 16 midnight in 2002 and Pichchi Hannan in an encounter with RAB on June 26, 2005.

Liakat was recently set free on bail from Dhaka Central Jail-and in no time he disappeared from the jail gate.

However, the remaining suspected "top terrors"-Tokai Sagar, Subrata Bain, Kala Jahangir, Joy, Haris Ahmed, Prokash, Kamrul Hasan alias Chhuto Hannan, Imam Hussain, Jabbar Munna, Manik, Mullah Masud and Aga Shamim-are still at large.

It is up in the air that Kala Jahangir was killed or he committed suicide. But intelligence took it with a grain of salt.

Competent sources said these suspected terrors are said to be in contact with their local godfathers, waiting to receive the green signal from them before stepping into Bangladesh for their election-time operation.