Teenage Gangs Spread Fear Across Habiganj

Habiganj is witnessing a worrying surge in teenage gang activity, with adolescents aged 15 to 20 increasingly involved in violent and criminal behaviour. Armed street displays, harassment of schoolgirls, drug use, theft, and other acts of intimidation are causing alarm among parents, local business owners, and residents alike.

According to police sources, recent operations have led to the arrest of three gang members. However, residents and community leaders are calling for more comprehensive government action to dismantle these gangs.

Armed Public Displays

In recent weeks, groups of 20–25 teenagers have been seen performing public drills with machetes and Chinese-style axes in areas including Rajnagar, the Women’s College, and the Girls’ High School. At one point, they filmed these armed demonstrations and circulated the videos on social media, where they quickly went viral, generating widespread fear in the city.

Similarly, in the Dhuliakhal BSC Industrial Area on the city outskirts, a gang of 10–12 teenagers staged a motorcycle show of force carrying indigenous weapons. Residents reported that their loud motorbikes and aggressive behaviour create fear, particularly among school and college-going girls and working women. Experts suggest that legal constraints on those under 18 allow these teenagers to act with impunity.

Family neglect and the erosion of social values are also cited as key factors contributing to rising juvenile delinquency. In several neighbourhoods, gangs have been linked to thefts of mobile phones and other valuables. Regular harassment outside schools, colleges, and madrassas, as well as roaming in groups near railway stations, hospitals, and crowded areas, has become a frequent occurrence.

Recent Incidents

1 March: Two rival gangs clashed with weapons on Mohanpur Bypass Road during Tarawih prayers, resulting in panic among residents. Police received an emergency call and arrested three members: Rakib (Masulia village), Rahim (Anantapur), and Nur Ali (Umedenagar).

24 February: In Jatrapasha village, Abu Sufi and his son were ambushed by 10–12 armed teenagers while returning home by e-bike. The victims were forcibly removed from the e-bike and brutally beaten.

16 January: During a fair at 120 Auliya Mazar in Murarband, Chunarughat, gang members vandalised shops and assaulted visitors, leaving at least ten people injured.

Authorities Respond

Police have directed all local station officers to take strict legal action against juvenile gangs, with operations intensified across the district. Habiganj Superintendent of Police, Mst. Yasmin Khatun, told Kaler Kantho that efforts are underway to identify gang members and gather information to take appropriate legal measures.

Community leaders echo the concerns: Harunur Rashid Chowdhury, former president of Habiganj Press Club, notes that under-18s often evade strict legal consequences and escalate from minor offences like smoking to drug use, theft, and robbery. Juvenile court Public Prosecutor Hafizul Islam added that parental neglect and peer influence encourage teenagers to skip school and engage in late-night gatherings, increasing delinquency.

Residents and authorities alike stress the urgent need for both preventive social programmes and legal enforcement to curb the growing menace of teenage gangs in Habiganj.