The growing activities of several organised teenage groups in Cox’s Bazar have raised concerns, with members reportedly involved in crimes over territorial disputes, drugs, snatching, extortion and internal rivalries.
During the tourism season, tourists and pedestrians travelling alone are among their targets. Residents allege that some unscrupulous people and so-called ‘senior brothers’ are using the teenagers for criminal activities.
An investigation has found more than a hundred teenage gangs, large and small, active in Cox’s Bazar town and surrounding areas. Recent law enforcement drives have revealed the involvement of local teenagers, Rohingya adolescents and young people from other parts of the country.
Their presence reportedly increases after dusk in isolated areas around the beach, including Sugandha, Shaibal, Sea Gull and Divine points, Kobita Chattar, Jhau Bon, Kolatoli and parts of Marine Drive.
Residents said members sometimes approach tourists in a friendly manner or lure them with offers of drugs and other illicit activities before taking them to secluded places, where they are allegedly threatened and robbed of cash, mobile phones and other valuables.
Residents also identified other areas as prone to teenage crime, including the central bus terminal, Kolatoli and Sugandha intersections, Kolatoli Bypass, Lighthouse, Noorpur, Peshkarpara, Hospital Road, Anderson Road, Sahityika Palli, Pahartali, Laboratory School Road, Bholaiyaghona, Tekpara and isolated stretches of Marine Drive.
Nosor Ullah, a resident of Baidyaghona, said pedestrians and tourists were often stopped and intimidated after dusk. ‘Teenagers gather in groups around Goldighir Par when people are returning home after work. Many avoid travelling at night for fear of attacks with knives and machetes,’ he said.
Mohammad Raihan was recently robbed near the new bridge in Khurushkul while returning home in a mishuk after closing his shop. He said a group of young men stopped the vehicle. ‘They threatened me with a knife and took Tk 15,000 and a smartphone. They later warned me not to tell anyone,’ he said.
Law enforcement sources said offenders sometimes disguise themselves as street vendors, easy-bike drivers, day labourers or street children, commit crimes in groups and quickly leave. They are particularly active around bus terminals, town entry points, roads near the beach and places frequented by tourists.
Drugs also drive crime
Hasan Sharif, a Rohingya teenager, said many adolescents used yaba and sniffed solution or glue used to repair tyres, tubes and shoes. Some turn to snatching, theft and drug dealing to finance their addiction, he said.
Experts say the easy availability of drugs in the border district contributes to juvenile crime, with dealers also using teenagers for retail distribution.
Allegations of backing by ‘senior brothers’
Residents allege that many teenagers form groups to establish dominance in their neighbourhoods, and that disputes involving girlfriends, personal rivalries and territorial clashes can lead to serious offences.
Some influential individuals, identified criminals, and ‘senior brothers’ are accused of supporting these groups. Teenagers are allegedly used to mobilise people for political programmes, occupy land, intimidate opponents and settle personal disputes, in return for money, drugs, shelter and legal assistance.
HM Nazrul Islam, member secretary of Cox’s Bazar Nagarik Andolon, said a lack of family supervision and the use of teenagers by unscrupulous people contributed to juvenile crime. ‘Teenagers need proper guidance, while families and educational institutions must strengthen supervision and involve them in sports and social activities. Those who use teenagers to commit crimes must also be brought to justice,’ he said.
Safety concerns in the tourism town
The gangs are also hurting tourism businesses, as many people are reluctant to visit secluded stretches of the beach after dusk, traders said. Arfin, a trader at Sugandha Point, said businesses had to operate with extra caution even during the tourism season.
Thirty-six arrested in 24 hours
Police have intensified operations against teenage gangs, snatching and drug crimes. In a 24-hour drive across crime-prone areas, Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station arrested 36 people, police said. Locally made weapons, illegal drugs and cash believed to be drug earnings were seized.
Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Mohammad Ali said regular drives were underway to prevent theft, robbery and the spread of drugs.
He said legal action was being taken against those arrested and that the operations would continue.
Sources at the Tourist Police Cox’s Bazar Region said they had arrested 55 street-based offenders and 15 snatchers so far this year and recovered 10 stolen mobile phones.
Concerned citizens say arrests alone will not be enough. They call for stronger efforts to prevent drug abuse, closer supervision by families and educational institutions, identification of school dropouts, counselling and greater involvement of teenagers in sports and social activities.
They also demand that adults and patrons who use teenagers for crimes be identified and brought to justice.
By Tarekur Rahman
Photo: Tarekur Rahman
