Residents of Gazipur are increasingly concerned about public safety as reports of murder, robbery, extortion, drug dealing and criminal activity continue to surface across the industrial district. From major highways to residential lanes, many people say they are struggling to feel secure, particularly after dusk.
Gazipur is one of Bangladesh’s most important industrial centres, with a large concentration of garment factories as well as pharmaceutical, ceramics and other manufacturing facilities. The district’s economic significance means that any deterioration in law and order can affect not only residents but also workers, businesses and the movement of goods.
Local residents and victims say disputes over the scrap-garment trade, transport operations, recruitment of workers and control over local areas frequently lead to confrontation. Some people also claim that they avoid filing complaints with police because they fear further trouble or harassment.
Around two months ago, medical student Maisha Fouzia Srijoni was reportedly robbed while returning home on a motorcycle in the West Joydebpur area. Her gold earrings were taken during the incident. Describing the experience, she said many roads now appear unsafe because of robbers and called for stronger law-enforcement measures so that people can travel without fear.
In Kaliakair, raw-material trader Mohammad Selim alleged that he was attacked after refusing to pay an extortion demand. According to him, several local youths demanded Tk1 lakh from him. When he declined to pay, they allegedly launched a sudden attack, leaving him injured and bleeding.
Several serious incidents in recent months have intensified concerns. On 9 May this year, five members of the same family, including two children, were killed in Rautkona of Kapasia. The following day, three people were beaten to death in Bagchala of Kaliakair after being suspected of cattle theft.
There have also been reports of bodies being recovered from roads and highways in different parts of the district. In Gacha, an auto-rickshaw driver was reportedly killed by having his throat slit. Such incidents have added to concerns over the safety of people travelling through the area.
Another incident occurred on 29 April in Keranirtek, Tongi, where five people, including four police officers, were injured during an attack on police carrying out an anti-drug operation.
Ifthekhar Shishir, district general secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, expressed concern over the law-and-order situation in Gazipur. He stressed the need to ensure swift trials of criminal cases, arguing that delays in the disposal of high-profile murder cases could embolden offenders.
For many residents, drugs are closely linked to the wider pattern of crime. Tongi resident Riaz Hasan described drug dealing as one of the area’s most serious problems. He said drug-related activities were contributing to murder, robbery and other offences, while many residents remained uneasy about travelling outside their homes after evening.
Local teacher Miajuddin also raised concerns about the impact of political changes on extortion. He alleged that extortion had increased after the BNP government took office and called on law-enforcement agencies to take stronger action. His comments reflect a wider demand from residents and businesses for a more effective response to extortion and other forms of organised local crime.
Businessman Zayedul Hamid said the security situation was particularly important because of Gazipur’s role as a major industrial centre. He warned that inadequate security could have consequences for both industry and investment, adding that many people still did not feel completely safe.
Lawyer Sirajul Islam of the Gazipur Judge Court also called for stronger security measures on highways, in industrial areas and in residential neighbourhoods, particularly during the evening and night.
Official figures provide a mixed picture of the situation. According to Gazipur Metropolitan Police data, 55 murder cases were recorded in the metropolitan area in 2021, followed by 57 in 2022, 94 in 2023, 96 in 2024 and 81 in 2025. A further 27 cases had been recorded up to July this year.
Data from the office of the additional superintendent of police responsible for crime show that the five police stations outside the metropolitan area recorded 27 murder cases in 2021, 34 in 2022, 43 in 2023, 37 in 2024 and 32 in 2025. By July this year, 18 cases had been recorded.
The number of bodies brought to the forensic department of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examinations also illustrates the scale of abnormal deaths handled by the authorities. The department received 685 bodies in 2021, 634 in 2022, 665 in 2023, 780 in 2024 and 830 in 2025. By 9 July this year, another 535 bodies had been brought for post-mortem examinations. The figures include deaths resulting from murder, suicide, road crashes and other forms of unnatural death and therefore do not represent murder cases alone.
Law-enforcement authorities, however, maintain that overall crime in Gazipur has declined compared with previous years. Police officials say one of the challenges is the movement of offenders between districts. According to them, criminals from different parts of the country sometimes travel to Gazipur, hide there and become involved in drug dealing, robbery or highway crime before leaving the area after committing offences.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime) Mohammad Belayet Hossain said the number of murders in the metropolitan area had fallen compared with the previous year. He said police were giving priority to investigating every murder, identifying those responsible and bringing them before the law. Regular operations were also being conducted against robbery, highway crime, drug dealing and organised criminal activity, he said.
Gazipur District Police Superintendent Mohammad Sharif Uddin said the district police were working continuously to maintain normal law and order. He said most reported cases had been investigated and that operations to arrest those involved were continuing. Police patrols and intelligence surveillance had also been strengthened, according to him.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Israel Howlader said police were carrying out their duties professionally to ensure public security.
The contrasting views of residents and law-enforcement agencies highlight a central challenge for Gazipur: while official figures indicate a reduction in some forms of serious crime, public perception of safety remains fragile. For a district that accommodates a large industrial workforce and handles extensive commercial activity, effective control of extortion, drugs, robbery and violent crime remains crucial.
Greater visibility of police patrols, stronger intelligence operations, prompt investigation of serious offences and timely prosecution could help restore public confidence. Ensuring security on highways and around industrial and residential areas will also remain essential if Gazipur is to maintain a safe environment for its residents, workers and businesses.
