Chanpara? The violent reign over a criminal enclave born from a rehab colony

Four murders shake the Narayanganj ward after leadership change last August

In the span of 10 months since a major shift in local political power, at least four murders have shaken the small community of Chanpara, a place now infamous across Bangladesh as a haven for drug trafficking and violent crime.

Located just outside the capital Dhaka and hemmed in on three sides by rivers, Chanpara was never meant to become what it is today.

Originally established in 1974 as a government rehabilitation zone for families displaced by river erosion and natural disasters, the area has devolved into what locals refer to as a “kingdom of criminals”.

“Good people don’t live here. Those who earn a bit of money get out as soon as they can,” said Md Sohel, a grocery shop owner and lifelong resident of the area.

“The ones who stay behind... they have their reasons. And trust me, it's never for anything good.”

Sohel’s words paint a grim portrait of a place where crime is systemic and violence routine.

“We’ve seen too much,” he added. “Used to be that drugs were sold openly on the streets. That’s changed a bit, yes. But beatings, extortion; all of that still happens. The faces have changed, but the fear remains.”

In last August, a change in local political control, from the then ruling Awami League (AL) affiliates to individuals believed to be aligned with the erstwhile opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was followed by a spate of killings tied to internal disputes over control of the drug trade.

While authorities claim that law and order has improved since the transition, locals insist that the underlying dynamics remain untouched.

“The fear is still there. Just more quiet,” Sohel explained. “Right now the administration isn’t clearly siding with anyone. People are lying low. But elections are coming. If one party takes over again, things might go back to how they were, or worse.”

“There was a time we couldn’t speak up,” Sohel said with a shrug. “Still can’t. Nothing’s really changed, just the people wearing the masks.”

Police officials present a different picture.

Liaqat Ali, chief of Rupganj Police Station, claimed a significant drop in both drug-related and violent crime. “This is unprecedented in Chonpara’s history,” he said. “We’re keeping it that way. Police have no political bias here. That’s the key.”

However, records from his own area contradict that narrative. Since last August, the station has filed at least 15 narcotics-related cases, many directly connected to Chanpara.

FROM REHAB COLONY TO CRIMINAL STRONGHOLD

Chanpara, located in the Kayetpara Union of Rupganj Upazila, was once a model for social rehabilitation. On nearly 50 hectares of land allocated by Dhaka WASA, it was the then prime minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s vision to house river erosion victims in 1974.

Initially designed for 5,500 families, the population has now surged to over 100,000.

At least 22,000 are registered voters.

Residents say early inhabitants relied on day labour.

But in the 1980s, drug dealing slowly took root.

Over time, multiple factions emerged, trading not just narcotics, but also in extortion, abduction, and arms.

Today, Chanpara is a fragmented web of criminal networks operating under thin political cover.

Local residents and law-enforcing officials confirm that most drugs enter via the waterways, from the Shitalakkhya and Balu rivers, with additional overland deliveries via cleverly disguised routes.

Firearms are bought and sold, and many fugitives from across the country find safe harbour here.

Its layout does not help. Chanpara is accessible by only one road, through the Balur Bridge from Demra. The village is split into nine administrative wards, with narrow alleys and densely packed homes offering an ideal environment for concealment and evasion.

Several active ferry docks allow further access from neighbouring areas like Demra, Noapara, and Murapara.

Despite minor changes on the surface, Chonpara remains deeply entrenched in lawlessness.

Residents say open drug sales may have declined, but beatings, intimidation, and coerced “donations” continue to plague daily life.

Political figures come and go, but the grip of fear remains unshaken.

‘RISE OF NEWS DONS’

Local residents and public representatives say that at one time, Chanpara was under the control of the then reserved female Union Parishad (UP) member Beauty Akter alias Kutti.

In November 2017, her husband MA Hasan alias Hasan Muhuri was killed in a turf war.

Two years later, in June 2019, Beauty was also murdered.

Following Beauty’s death, Bazlur Rahman, an Upazila Awami League member and panel chairman of Kayetpara Union Parishad’s Ward No. 9, took over control of Chanpara’s drug and arms trade.

He moved around with personal security and soon emerged as the area’s “Don”.

In 2022, Chanpara came under national spotlight after the death of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Fardin Noor Parash.

Police revealed that Fardin’s mobile phone last pinged in Chanpara before he went missing.

On Nov 10 that year, the RAB shot dead Rashedul Islam Shahin, alias “City Shahin”, in a “gunfight”.

A follower of Bazlur, Shahin had controlled several drug spots in Chanpara.

A week after Shahin’s death, Bazlur was arrested on Nov 18.

He faced at least 26 cases, including murder, extortion, and drug trafficking.

On Mar 31 the following year, he died in jail, reportedly due to illness.

Following Bazlur’s death, Shamsher Ali gained prominence.

The Election Commission (EC) held a by-election, in which Shamsher was elected as a UP member.

In Bazlur’s absence, Shamsher -- the then acting general secretary of the Chanpara Union (Organisational) Awami League -- assumed control of the drug and crime networks in the area.

Following the fall of the Awami League government, Shamsher was arrested and sent to jail in connection with a murder case during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

Bazlur, “City Shahin”, and Shamsher were all known followers of former Awami League minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, whose proximity gave them significant local influence.

KILLINGS CONTINUE

Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, four murders have taken place in Chanpara in seven months.

On Aug 5 evening, a celebratory procession was brought out.

Awami League leaders and activists allegedly launched an armed attack on the procession, killing Roman Mia, a tenth-grader of Nabakisholoy High School in Chanpara, by gunfire.

The next night, on Aug 6, two friends -- Md Sourav, 26, and Sojib Hawlader, 28, -- went missing.

Three days later, on Aug 9, Sourav’s disfigured body was recovered from the Shitalakkhya River’s Office Ghat in Ward No.6.

Eight days later, on Aug 14, Sojib’s body was found several kilometres away in the river at Kalagachhia in Bandar Upazila.

Relatives said Sourav worked as a ticket seller for a passenger transport company in Signboard area of Narayanganj, while Sojib sold “Bhelpuri” in nearby Demra Mirpara.

They had both gone to Chanpara together on the day of the incident.

Amid deteriorating law and order, both families filed cases in court instead of going to police.

Sourav’s wife Brishti Akhter filed one, while Sojib’s wife Rabeya Begum filed the other.

Now, neither woman is willing to talk much about the cases, citing fear. Both have moved to their parental homes and avoid visiting Chanpara.

Local residents say the two victims had close ties with Joynal Abedin, one of the top drug dealers in Chanpara.

During the Awami League era, Joynal controlled a large part of the drug trade with the protection of party leaders.

With the political shift, the two friends may have been killed over those associations.

The most recent killing occurred on the night of Mar 18.

Md Hasib, 28, a resident of Ward No. 6, was shot dead during a clash. Two others were also shot.

According to family members, a drug dealer, identified with a single name, Robin was detained that night by supporters of Monir Dewan, president of the Chanpara Organisational Union unit of the Jubo Dal.

But Abdul Karim, organisational secretary of the union’s Jubo Dal, and ward-2 president Golam Rabbani arrived to secure Robin’s release, sparking an altercation that escalated into a clash.

Hasib’s brother, Md Babu, filed a murder case naming 17 people, including Karim, Rabbani, and their associate Shakil, identified with a single name.

Md Babu, identifying himself as a Jubo Dal activist, is known locally as a follower of Shamim Mia.

Another case was filed in court over Robin’s abduction, accusing Shamim, Babu, and their associates.

Multiple special operations by police and the RAB followed.

With both sides named in rival cases, they found themselves in legal trouble.

Karim, Rabbani, and Shakil are currently in jail.

‘EYES GOUGED, CRICKET STUMP THROUGH THE BACK’

Sourav’s wife Brishti Akhter was pregnant when he was killed.

The moment she saw his mutilated body, she understood what had happened -- and what could follow.

She immediately left their home in Chanpara and moved to her father’s house.

When visited the area on Jun 1 to speak with Sourav’s family, no one was found at the residence.

Fear had driven them away.

Later, in Ward No.6, Sourav’s aunt Morjina Begum recounted: “That night he disappeared, he had come to my house -- he often did. Ate dinner here, then went missing.”

Recalling the scene, she said: “When I saw his body, I couldn’t sleep for nights. His eyes were completely gouged out, and a cricket stump had been shoved through his back.

“I’ve never seen a death like that in my life.”

“This area has never been safe,” she added. “It was bad before, and it’s the same now.

“I don’t live here anymore out of fear. And even if I did, I couldn’t speak against anyone. My niece was even threatened to withdraw the case. But she said she won’t.”

During the conversation, Morjina repeatedly tried to confirm whether speaking to the media would land her in “trouble”.

Following Sourav’s murder, their home came under attack.

Although the assailants could not break in, they slashed the outer tin fence with sharp weapons.

Relatives said they were also looking for Sourav’s brother, Shrabon, identified with a single name.

‘SEARCHED THE RIVER FOR MY HUSBAND’S BODY IN A TRAWLER’

After Sojib’s murder, his wife Rabeya left their flat in Chanpara with their two sons.

When the house was visited later, no one was found.

In a narrow alley of Ward No. 2, Sojib’s 80-year-old grandmother-in-law said Rabeya now lives in a rented place in Demra’s Mirpara.

She confirmed that on the same day Sourav’s house was attacked, Sojib’s home was also vandalised.

Neighbour Ankhi Begum recalled seeing Sojib walking through the alley that afternoon.

Later that night, the news came that he had gone missing.

Days later, word spread that his disfigured body had been found far away in the Shitalakkhya River.

Speaking over the phone, Rabeya said: “My family is involved in Awami League politics. But my husband wasn’t in politics. Back then, there was no police or administration in sight.”

She added, “That day he was in Chanpara. They killed him brutally and threw him in the river. I searched for his body myself, going from place to place in a trawler. Found nothing.

“Days later, the River Police informed us. They had recovered my old button phone from his pocket. Without that, there was nothing left to identify him.”

Rabeya named expelled Jubo Dal leader Shamim and several others in the murder case. “I can’t say much. But I want justice. I won’t settle this.”

Though Shamim is the prime accused in the case, police have yet to arrest him.

Asked about the case, Mehedi Islam, senior assistant superintendent of police (Circle-G), said several suspects in the Sourav and Sojib murder cases have been arrested, and the rest will be brought to justice.

A Rupganj Police inspector said: “Conducting raids in Chanpara is difficult. Still, we’ve carried out two operations to arrest Shamim.

“After the latest March clash and killing, the RAB and police also ran joint drives. But we couldn’t find him.”

‘JUBO DAL LEADER SHAMIM UNDER SPOTLIGHT’

Following the political transition after the July uprising, individuals affiliated with the Awami League or who benefited under its rule have largely disappeared from Chanpara.

The dominance of BNP activists is now evident across alleyways and streets, where banners and posters are prominently displayed.

Locals say that since August, expelled Jubo Dal leader Shamim has emerged as the most influential figure in the area.

Shamim, from Ward No.8, was until recently the joint general secretary of Narayanganj district Jubo Dal and the senior joint convener of Rupganj Upazila Jubo Dal.

After a clash in March over the drug trade in Chanpara that left people dead and injured, Shamim was expelled from Jubo Dal.

Although the expulsion caused some political turbulence, residents say he has retained control over the neighbourhood.

Conversations with 18 people -- including locals, political leaders, journalists, and police officials --revealed that for months after August, leaders aligned with BNP’s National Executive Committee members Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir and Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu were at odds.

Recent incidents, however, have placed Moniruzzaman’s supporters on the back foot.

Currently, Dipu’s followers dominate the area – with Shamim leading the charge.

Residents say Shamim is determined to maintain his grip on Chanpara.

But he now faces rivals in Abdul Karim and Golam Rabbani, along with a few other local BNP leaders vying for control.

‘CHANPARA BECAME FREE AFTER AUG 7’

When visited Shamim’s private office in Chanpara, it was locked.

Contact was made two days later by phone, where Shamim denied all allegations against him.

“I live in Chanpara. But when I go outside, I can’t even speak about my own area,” he said. “There used to be 250-300 drug spots here. We shut them down through collective efforts.

“But there are still some home delivery operations. Those who lost their drug business are now spreading lies about me.”

He added, “All allegations against me are false. I’m not involved in that kind of politics. I’m young, and many senior leaders don’t like that I’m in a leadership role.

“Now that BNP’s position is stronger, everyone wants to sideline me and rise to power.”

On Sojib murder case, Shamim said: “Everywhere else got its freedom on the 5th of August, but Chanpara only became free on the 7th.

“After the fall of the government, Somser’s men brought back Joynal and others who had fled. The clashes happened between Somser’s and Joynal’s forces, and I was falsely implicated.”

Shamim claimed the plaintiffs in the Sojib murder case had submitted a “written statement” to court requesting his name be withdrawn.

Narayanganj’s Additional Superintendent of Police Mehedi said: “Since the Uprising, the situation in Chanpara has changed significantly. After the latest clash, joint operations were carried out multiple times.

“Criminal activity has declined, and law-enforcing agencies are maintaining continuous pressure.”

He added that these operations would continue in efforts to curb drug trafficking and criminal violence.

[Writing in English by Sheikh Fariha Bristy]