Police Release List of 3,000 Armed Criminals Ahead of Vote

With just five days remaining before the national parliamentary elections, Bangladeshi authorities are intensifying measures to curb election-related violence. The move comes after a shooting incident on Saturday in Munshikandi, Munshiganj Sadar, where supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate clashed with those backing a rebel candidate. Police have so far identified four individuals involved, including Ekram Dewan, who is already listed as a “shooter” by intelligence agencies. As of Monday, he remains at large.

High-profile criminal figures continue to pose a threat. Sheikh Mohammad Aslam, also known as Sweden Aslam, faces 22 cases, including nine for murder. Despite being released on bail on 4 September 2024 after serving a 20-year sentence, he has reappeared on the list of armed criminals. Similarly, Tariq Saif Mamun, a prominent criminal in Old Dhaka, was recently shot dead near the National Medical Institute Hospital amid a violent power struggle with rival criminal Roni, who is currently evading arrest.

Under directives from the police headquarters, authorities have compiled a nationwide list of 3,000 armed and violent offenders, including shooters and militants. Among them are 352 designated shooters and 124 identified militants. Other notorious criminals include Imamul Hossain (aka Picchi Helal), Sanjidul Islam (aka Emon), S.M. Arman, and Khorshed Alam (aka Freedom Rasu), among others.

Police aim to prevent violence and disruption at polling stations. Police Headquarters spokesperson A.H.M. Shahadat Hossain stated, “Based on prior criminal records and intelligence reports, high-risk individuals are under surveillance. This operation is completely impartial and within the law.”

The distribution of armed criminals across major cities and districts is shown below:

Authorities have prioritised the arrest of fugitives, while also monitoring those released on bail. Local police stations and intelligence units are conducting targeted operations to prevent clashes, especially those involving territorial disputes among shooters and militants.

In Chattogram Division alone, 15 murders occurred in just 36 days earlier this year, compared with the previous 13 months. Ten of these deaths were linked to internal BNP conflicts. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam emphasised that a phased approach has been adopted to identify high-risk individuals and secure the election environment.

The overarching objective remains clear: to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election across the country.