Correspondent, Cumilla

Police have detained 254 people in a coordinated anti-juvenile gang operation across 18 police stations in Cumilla. The district police conducted the drive from 8pm on Saturday (September 26) until late at night.

Police said four active members of the controversial “Ratan Group,” also known as “R Squad,” in Cumilla city were among those detained. According to police, Anisur Rahman, also known as Anik, 19, had been operating as the group’s “second-in-command.”

Cumilla District Police Media Officer and Additional Superintendent of Police Lutfur Rahman said coordinated raids were conducted at locations identified as hotspots for juvenile gang activity and harassment by youths across all 18 police stations in the district.

He said the detainees’ possible involvement in criminal activities was being verified and that necessary legal action would be taken based on the findings.

Four ‘Ratan Group’ Members Detained

Kotwali Model Police Station detained 37 people during raids in different parts of Cumilla city. Police said four of them were directly involved with juvenile gang activities and were identified as active members of the “Ratan Group.”

Anisur Rahman alias Anik, one of those detained, is a resident of Chhotra Mofizabad Colony in the city. Police said he is the nephew of Imran Hossain alias Ratan, who allegedly leads the group. As Ratan is currently in hiding, Anik had allegedly been controlling the group’s activities, according to police.

Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Towhidul Anwar said raids were conducted in areas where juvenile gangs allegedly gather and attempt to engage in criminal activities. He said the four detainees had been identified as active members of the Ratan Group.

According to police, Anik was named as an accused in a 2022 murder case and was arrested in connection with the case. Police said he later secured bail and became involved with the gang again.

OC Towhidul Anwar further said those detained during Saturday’s operation included people allegedly linked to mugging and a banned organisation, among other allegations. Their identities and previous criminal records are being verified, he said.

624 Detained in Earlier Operation

Earlier, police detained 624 people in a coordinated anti-juvenile gang operation across Cumilla’s 18 police stations on Wednesday. Of them, 451 were released into the custody of their guardians after signing bonds.

Legal action was taken against the remaining 173 people over various allegations, including drug-related offences, regular criminal cases, links to a banned organisation and outstanding arrest warrants, police said. Some were also dealt with through mobile courts.

The issue of juvenile gang activity in Cumilla has drawn renewed attention following the killing of 13-year-old student Ishayat Shahriar Apratim. Police have arrested several people in connection with the incident, and the investigation is ongoing.

Juvenile gang activity in different parts of Cumilla city has been a subject of concern for some time. Police have said they are continuing regular operations against such groups.