Published : 24 Sep 2026, 11:15 AM
Updated : 24 Sep 2026, 11:15 AM
Police have detained 624 people in Cumilla on suspicion of involvement in teenage gangs and are questioning them as part of a district-wide operation.
The detainees were apprehended in simultaneous operations across all 18 police station jurisdictions in the district on Wednesday night, Cumilla Additional Superintendent of Police and media officer Lutfur Rahman said.
“They have been detained for questioning. After collecting and verifying information, legal action will be taken as required,” he said.
Lutfur said police had recently found teenagers involved in various criminal activities, prompting the operation on the instructions of Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman.
The raids were carried out at several locations in Cumilla city and in other areas where residents had complained of harassment by groups of youths, he said.
Senior district police officials also took part in the operation.
Police are checking whether those detained have any previous involvement in criminal activity and will decide on further legal action based on the findings, Lutfur said.
“The district police will continue such operations regularly to prevent teenagers from becoming involved in criminal activities,” he added.
The issue of teenage gang activity in Cumilla has come under renewed scrutiny following the killing of Ishayat Shahriar Apratim, the 13-year-old son of Cumilla University teacher Nahida Begum.
The police operation was conducted soon after the incident.
Meanwhile, 17 of those detained on Wednesday night reportedly escaped from a room at Daudkandi Police Station after breaking down a door.
Asked about the incident, Lutfur said the room had become overcrowded, leading to disorder.
“However, people caught those who had escaped and brought them back,” he said.
He said a large number of people had gathered at the police station to ask why so many people were being detained, and the incident occurred amid the resulting commotion.
