Garjania and Kachchhpia are two border hill unions on the southeastern edge of Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar. This area full of natural beauty has long hidden another reality—a town that has become a base for terrorism, kidnapping, hill bandits and drug gangs.
Although the official statistics show a population of 28,336, field investigations with local public representatives, elders and social workers reveal that the actual population of these two unions is more than 50,000. Due to unregistered families living in the hills and countless Rohingya settlements, the official figures do not match reality.
Only one police outpost—Garjania police outpost—is responsible for protecting the security of this huge population. And that outpost is currently led by IC Police Inspector Shovan Kumar Saha, in the words of the locals— “The security of this hill town now revolves around one person—IC Shovan.” A deep investigation has revealed the dark past of the hill town, the new context of change, and the new equation between the police and the public. Garjania-Kachhpia of the past: Stories of fear, kidnapping, drugs, and ‘silent nights’ according to the locals, this town was a dark area full of crime for almost a decade. The base of the bandit group inside the mountains, smuggling of Yaba and Ice, kidnapping at night, the dominance of extortionists, and the transportation of weapons on the mountain routes. At one time, in many areas of Garjania Union in the evening, markets and markets were not open. People would stop moving on the roads. Since there was no mobile network deep in the mountains, even if you were in danger, you could not contact anyone. Senior farmer Azgar said, “If the mountains shook at night due to the barking of dogs, we would know that robbers or terrorists had descended. Even if we locked the doors, the fear would not go away.” The mountain routes: ‘The secret highway of drugs’
The investigation found that Garjania-Kachhpia is not just a remote town; this area has long been a ‘safe route’ for drug gangs. Yaba and ice would enter the deep jungle using the mountain roads near the border, from where they would spread throughout the district. A local public representative witnessed, “after dusk, when we saw the light of flashlights coming down from the mountains, everyone would understand – who was going, what was being taken.” But the question arises – how was this terrible network broken. ‘Data-driven campaign’ led by IC Shobhan Kumar Saha: Rock-Shaking Change police Inspector Shobhan Kumar Saha took charge in late 2025, and after his arrival, increased police activity began across the area. The investigation found several important steps under his leadership—the mountain routes were brought to the digital map, secret mountain paths, routes inside the forest, potential hiding places for smuggling—a comprehensive digital map was created covering everything. To increase surveillance of drug trafficking, a mobile information network was developed in coordination with local youth, a community information system was developed.
In this, information on suspicious movements reached the police quickly. Night patrols were doubled. It is known at the field level that where patrols used to be conducted twice a week, now police members go every night. A member of the outpost, on condition of anonymity, said, “We do not carry weapons as a tradition when patrolling at night; we carry people’s trust.” Special operation to curb terrorism and robbery: The investigation revealed a special operation, which was an important turning point in eliminating the gang of robbers. Living in the local hills
Bringing families into the security circle, arresting identified criminals.
A villager said, “those who used to be aggressive, today they run away. Because of the police, people living in the hills and at night are not afraid.” ‘Zero tolerance’ in drug control: Wave of change in the youth
The anti-drug campaign is not limited to arrests—this time, mass awareness has been added. Anti-drug speeches in schools and colleges, police sponsorship of sports tournaments, involving the youth in positive activities. College teacher Jasim Uddin said, “In an area where drugs were a daily companion of the youth, now students are making posters against drugs—that is the change.” People’s police-people of the police: Unprecedented trust in the area the police-people partnership is playing the biggest role in the change in Garjania-Kachhpia.
IC Shobhan Kumar Saha himself said, “Crime prevention cannot be solved if the police are the only ones doing it. We are able to move forward because people are with us.” Challenges still loom large: Crisis in communication system during the search, it is seen that if the road is broken, the police cannot reach.

A patrol team member said, “We take risks. But the broken roads limit us.” Until communication systems improve—operations, rescues, and security—everything will be at risk. Conclusion: ‘Normal days’ are returning to the hill towns Garjania-Kachhpia are changing—this information was clearly evident during field visits. Beltali market is now open in the evenings. Reports of kidnapping and robbery have decreased significantly. Families are returning to normal life.
According to locals— “The air here is not as scary as it used to be; it smells of safety.” And at the center of this change is— Police Inspector Shobhan Kumar, whose leadership has redefined safety in the hill towns for the locals.