The sound of gunfire is once again making Chattogram's Roujan tremble, with the brazen daylight killing of notorious criminal Md. Alamgir Alam, alias 'Dakat Alam,' highlighting how this once peaceful area has transformed into a blood-soaked zone of terror. As incidents of shooting, murder, extortion, theft, and robbery occur daily, the assassination of the infamous Jubo Dal leader underscores the lawlessness that has left 6 to 7 lakh ordinary residents living in constant fear.
Since August 5, 2024, it seems Roujan has returned to its old bloody chapter. The once terror-prone area has reawakened as a city of violence. In almost every one of Roujan's 14 unions, the populace is being shaken by the sound of gunfire at some point.
Local residents say the sound of gunfire is heard day and night. After dusk, people are afraid to leave their homes. Businessmen are also closing their shops and establishments early out of fear.
On the other hand, locals have raised questions about the role of the administration. They allege that although police are present, crime cannot be controlled. The terrorists are moving around the area freely.
An elderly local figure said, "Roujan has now returned to that previous bloody chapter. Hearing gunfire every day feels like a war is going on."
Since August 5, after the fall of the Awami League government, at least 17 people have been murdered in Roujan during the 14 months of the interim government's tenure. Among them are businessmen, political leaders, and ordinary people. 12 of these are centered around political violence and establishing dominance.
Md. Alamgir Alam (50), a Jubo Dal leader locally known as 'Dakat (Robber) Alam,' was killed in a shootout with a rival group in Rauzan, Chattogram. The incident occurred on Saturday around 4:30 PM on Rashidarpara road, beside the Kaikobad Jame Mosque in Ward No. 9 of Roujan Municipality.
According to local sources, a long-standing dispute over the distribution of spoils from thefts and robberies existed between Alamgir Alam and a rival group. The conflict escalated into a clash and an exchange of gunfire, resulting in Alam's death. Another man, Riyad (25), son of Kalu Saudagar from the same area, was also injured in the shooting.
The deceased Alam was the son of Abdur Sattar of East Roujan area in Ward No. 9 of Roujan Municipality.
The deceased's son, Arfat, said, "On Saturday afternoon, my father had gone to my aunt's house for a feast. On his way back, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire in front of the mosque and killed him."
Witnesses stated that eight armed individuals, hiding in the mosque's cemetery, targeted and shot Alam. The assailants then fled towards the Chattogram-Rangamati route by car.
After the death of Jubo Dal leader Md. Alamgir Alam (50), several videos that went viral on social media show him previously expressing fears about his own death. In the videos, Alamgir is heard saying, "They might kill me." There, he also mentioned several names.
Analysis of local sources and videos shows that the names of Bakhtiar Fakir and BNP leader Bokkor Chowdhury repeatedly appear in the conversations of the deceased Alamgir.
Locals allege that after August 5, Alamgir formed a large group in the area and started working actively for BNP. During this time, his conflicts with several local groups increased, which ultimately turned into bloody clashes and killings.
Police have stated that an investigation into the incident is ongoing and the viral videos are also being verified as part of the investigation.
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rauzan Police Station, Monirul Islam Bhuiya, said, "Upon receiving the news, police quickly arrived at the spot, brought the situation under control, recovered the body, and sent it to the morgue of Chattogram Medical College Hospital." The recovered body had five bullet wounds. "Primarily, it is assumed that this killing is a result of establishing local dominance or a previous enmity, possibly a local turf war," he added. He further said, "Police are on maximum alert to maintain law and order in Roujan. Investigation into each incident is ongoing, no one is above the law."
Police sources identified Alamgir Alam, alias 'Dakat Alam,' as a top-tier criminal in Rauzan. The deceased Alamgir had previously been released from jail after serving a 10-year sentence in a case. In November 2019, police raided his illegal weapons factory in a hilly area, arresting him and seizing a large cache of arms. At that time, he was facing 17 cases for murder, robbery, and under the Arms Act in Roujan, Panchlaish, and Chandgaon police stations. He was also an associate of the top terrorist Jane Alam, who was killed in a 'gunfight' with RAB in 2003.
After a long period of incarceration, Alamgir was recently released on bail and had become active in the area again, until his life ended in the rival group's gunfire on Saturday.
BNP leader Didarul Alam Talukdar said, "The deceased Alamgir Alam was not currently active in any political activities. However, his name had come up in recent theft and robbery incidents in the area. It is still not clear who shot him."
In a statement, BNP Chairperson's Advisor Golam Akbar Khandakar condemned the killing, saying, "Alamgir had recently been released after enduring 12 years of imprisonment during Awami rule. He has been killed publicly; we demand the immediate arrest of the culprits and exemplary punishment."
Families affected by political violence complain—although the administration and political leaders promise peace after every incident, no murder has been delivered justice. Consequently, the perpetrators remain beyond reach, and new killings keep occurring.
Elders in Roujan say, "The Roujan that was once a center of knowledge, culture, and human values is now trapped in the politics of blood and revenge."
The ordinary people of Roujan are still carrying the pain of losing their loved ones. Many murders have not been prosecuted. They have one question: "When will Roujan be free from the victims of political violence?"
Amid this unstable situation in Roujan, the common people demand—the administration must take immediate strict measures and initiatives to restore peace in the area.
