Cumilla police detain 254 in crackdown on juvenile gangs

Police in Cumilla have conducted a series of coordinated raids across 18 police stations to combat the rise of juvenile gangs and unruly youth. In a recent operation conducted from Saturday night into early Sunday, authorities detained 254 individuals. Among those arrested were four active members of the notorious ‘Ratan Group’ (also known as ‘R Squad’), including 19-year-old Anisur Rahman, identified as the gang’s second-in-command. Rahman is reportedly managing the group's activities while the leader, Imran Hossain, remains in hiding.

The crackdown follows heightened public concern over youth crime, particularly after the murder of student Ishayat Shahriar Apratim. Investigations indicate that at least 20 gangs are active in Cumilla city, with members involved in numerous criminal incidents. While often referred to as ‘teen gangs,’ many members and leaders are over the age of 18.

Authorities are currently scrutinizing the detainees to determine their involvement in specific criminal activities. Those found linked to offenses will face legal action, while others are being released to their guardians following verification processes. This follows a previous large-scale operation where 624 people were detained.