Youth Gangs Spread in Cumilla: At Least 20 Groups Active, 2,035 Detained in Five Drives, Questions over the 'Big Brothers' Behind Them

Faisal Hossain (a pseudonym) is a seventh-grade student at a school in Cumilla city. Both his parents are government employees. Hanging out with friends after school, he met Muntasir Munna, a college student from the city's station area. That acquaintance gradually drew him into the world of youth gangs.

According to Faisal, Munna helped him and also gifted him a switchgear knife. In return, Faisal joined processions and meetings with Munna. Munna's motorcycle, TikTok videos and bike rallies in the area became the centre of attraction for Faisal. Facing threats from a rival group at school, he also prepared to resist in return. After being detained in a recent police drive and then released, Faisal described how he became involved with a youth gang.

Like Faisal, many other teenagers in Cumilla city are getting sharp weapons in their hands. On social media, one group posts videos, threats and shows of strength against another. Sometimes a trivial dispute, sometimes a bid for dominance, and sometimes personal anger turns clashes bloody. Teenagers and young people are losing their lives, and ordinary people are also being killed and injured.

Youth gang activity in Cumilla is not new. The issue came into wide discussion in the city around 2015, when three to four groups were active. By 2022, the number of groups under discussion had risen to at least 20. A recent investigation found at least 20 gangs active in the city, although Cumilla district police hold no updated list of these groups.

Large groups contain various branches and subgroups. Known by names including King Squad, Ratan Group or R Squad, Eagle, CBK and Crime Setup, these groups have long been a source of concern. After the recent Apratim murder, the spread of juvenile crime has come under renewed discussion. From 2017 to 2025, members of youth gangs were named in at least 12 murders in Cumilla.

The murder victims include Shuvo of the Palpara area on the Gomti River, student Azmain Adil of Mogoltuli, Modern School student Mumtahin Hasan Miron, auto-rickshaw driver Shahjahan, Sazzatul Islam Anik of Dishaband, Ajit Guha College student Antu, Britannia University student Shahzada Islam, Sajib Hossain Babu of Ashoktala, Faisal Islam of Dakshin Chartha, Shahadat Hossain, killed in front of the city park, Mohammad Amin of Thakurpara and EPZ official Khairul Bashar.

After the Apratim murder, police stepped up anti-gang drives in Cumilla. From 23 September 2026, in simultaneous drives across 18 police stations, 702 people were detained. After screening, 451 were released into their guardians' custody, while the remaining 173 were sent to court on various charges.

Cumilla Additional Superintendent of Police Lutfur Rahman said not everyone detained in the ongoing drive is a juvenile offender. Those who are offenders are being brought under the law, and those who are innocent are being released into their families' custody.

District police drives continued after that. Police said that by 3 October, a total of 2,035 people had been detained in five phases of drives. During the same period, four alleged top members of Ratan Group and Crime Setup were arrested.

City residents allege that some people use political identity and influence to use teenagers in processions and rallies, to intimidate rivals, or in criminal activity. There are also allegations of lobbying to secure releases after arrests. Information obtained at various times shows that the leadership of youth gangs includes not only minors but also people aged over 19 to 30.

Urban planner Dr Ahsanul Kabir said the real masterminds of youth gangs must be identified and brought under the law, with action taken on the basis of the crime, regardless of which political party they are linked to. Children from middle-class and upper-middle-class families are also being drawn into these groups, which is worrying for society, he said, adding that detaining only members will not bring the desired result unless action is taken against the masterminds.

Sumi Akhtar, a professor in the sociology department of Cumilla Victoria Government College, said families must first become aware to prevent juvenile crime. Parents need to regularly watch where their children go, what they do and who they mix with.

Cumilla Superintendent of Police Anisuzzaman said youth gang members are being detained every day, and action is being taken against those involved in crime without considering who is a 'big brother' and who is a 'small brother'. He said the gangs' main masterminds have been identified and will be arrested if necessary. In a statement published on 29 September, the superintendent had said the name of anyone applying pressure or lobbying in the anti-gang drive would be published.

Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Rozi Akhtar said today's children and teenagers are the future and should be at their study tables. Parents must watch their own children, she said, and the administration is also continuing awareness work.