Teknaf, a border upazila of Cox’s Bazar, has long been in the news for various crimes including murder, drugs, arms and smuggling. The law enforcement agencies are continuing their operations to suppress these crimes.
The new Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed recently announced zero tolerance against terrorists, and drug smugglers at the Law and Order Committee meeting held in Cox’s Bazar, which has shaken the law enforcement agencies. Until now, influential criminals have been hiding by using political signboards to evade the law. In such a situation, Teknaf’s crime don Farid has once again risen to the top, so the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-15 has launched an operation to maintain law and order in Teknaf border upazila. On the evening of March 11, a smart operation team from the Teknaf camp of RAB-15 was able to arrest Md. Faridul Alam (40) alias Mehedi Hasan and Farid, absconding accused in 17 cases, in a special operation.
The don of the criminal world is the son of Siddique Ahmed of Nazirpara village in Teknaf Sadar Union. According to RAB sources, Faridul Alam, an accused in various cases, had been in hiding for a long time. Based on secret information, RAB members came to know that he was staying in the Nazirpara area. Based on this information, he was arrested in a playground in Nazirpara area of Ward No. 8 of Teknaf Sadar Union at 6:15 pm on March 11. The operation was successful despite the attack, but the situation became heated after the arrest.
It is alleged that on the orders of the arrested accused, around 100 to 150 people attacked the RAB members with sticks, country-made weapons and bricks. In this attack, 7 to 8 RAB members were injured on the spot. In addition, a government motorcycle and a private motorcycle used in the operation were set on fire. Despite the attack, the RAB members were able to safely arrest the arrested accused and leave the scene. According to information from law enforcement agencies and local journalists, Faridul Alam has been involved in terrorist activities in the Teknaf area for a long time. A total of 17 cases are pending in the court against him, including murder, weapons, drugs, robbery, money laundering, obstruction of government work and fights.
Local sources say that he was known as a patron and influential godfather of terrorists in the Nazirpara area. It is alleged that criminal gangs were active in the area under his leadership. RAB-15 officials said that their operations will continue to suppress terrorism, drugs, weapons and smuggling in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban districts. Those involved in the attack on law enforcement agencies will also be identified and brought to justice. The arrested Faridul Alam has been handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for further legal action. Such operations in sensitive border areas like Teknaf play an important role in controlling crime. As a result of RAB’s continuous operations, many absconding accused are being arrested, which is bringing relief to the locals.