The underworld of the capital has reasserted itself with the emergence of a number of most wanted criminals following the recent political change, sparking renewed fear among city dwellers.

Some of the notorious criminals have recently come out of jail on bail while some others have returned home from abroad after the fall of the Awami League government in the face of a mass upsurge spearheaded by students.

The top terrors who were freed on bail are Sanzidul Islam Emon, Killer Abbas, Sheikh Mohammad Aslam alias Sweden Aslam, Nayem Ahmed Titon, Pichchi Helal, Khorshed Alam Rasu alias Freedom Rasu, Sayeed Hossain, Sazu and Akhter Hossain.

Besides, Freedom Sohel, Habibur Rahman Taz and SM Arman are desperately trying to come out of jail on bail, sources said.

On the other hand, Subrato Bain has recently returned home from a neighbouring country after a long 20 years.

Mamun, who came out of jail in September last year, and Nisar Uddin Kajol alias Boga Kajol have already got involved in criminal activities.
The criminals are trying to take control of cable-internet, tender, transport, footpath, market and jhut trade. They are also attempting to grab land and extort money from businessmen and the construction sector.

 Some of them have by this time sought extortion from a number of businessmen and threatened them with dire consequences if their demands go unmet.

Of them, Boga Kajol, who was once loyal to Subrato Bain, reportedly made a contract with another underworld criminal Zeesan Ahmed, who is now in Dubai, to kill Subrato.

Allegations are there that Kajol with his cohorts acted to suppress the July and August mass uprising.

After the overthrow of the AL government, Kajol, who is wanted in 42 criminal cases, and his cadres looted firearms of law enforcers from police stations.

Some of the firearms have been given to Mamun, Shamim, Killer Abbas and top terror Shahdat Hossain's cohorts, said sources.

On 29 September, Subrato Bain with his fellows paid a visit to Bishal Centre at Moghbazar over grabbing a shop there, leaving traders in fear.
Imamul Hasan Helal alias Pichchi Helal, who was freed on bail after two decades, was accused in a case filed with Mohammadpur Police Station on 22 September. The killings were committed in the area on 20 September over the murders of two youths.

Earlier, the control of the area was under the former army chief Aziz Ahmed's brothers, including Tofail Ahmed Josef, along with councillor Asif Ahmed, nephew of Aziz.

About the double murder, Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Israil Howlader said they have already arrested 2-3 accused in the double-murder case. And their vigilance was enhanced on the underworld criminals.

The criminals are active most in Motijheel, Moghbazar, Mohammadpur and Mirpur areas.

Mofizur Rahman alias Mamun, who is well known as 'Pallabi Dha Block Mamum,' is accused in 27 cases.  

Killer Abbas used to control the Mirpur area from jail. His activities have seen a rise after he was freed on bail.

About the most wanted criminals, Lt Col Munim Ferdous, director (Legal and Media Wing) of the Rapid Action Battalion, told the Daily Sun that they are keeping the criminals under a close watch so that they cannot engage in any crime.

Former DMP Commissioner Naim Ahmed said the underworld criminals should be kept under surveillance round the clock.

In case of failure, the law and order will worsen, he said.

On 3 September, Razib Chandra Poddar, managing director of Scion Asset Developer Ltd, filed a general diary (GD) at Rampura Police Station stating that a group of criminals on motorcycles came to his construction site and demanded Tk10 lakh in extortion, threatening to kill him.

He alleged that Soiya Babu issued the death threat.

On 5 October, Saiful Islam Khan, managing director of Rime Real Estate, lodged a GD at Hatirjheel Police Station, alleging that some extortionists assaulted his workers at his construction site at West Rampura on 30 September. They also forcibly took away cement and rods from the site on a pickup.