Public display of weapons causes panic
A viral video has sparked fresh panic surrounding controversial terrorist Jana Alam alias Dakat Alam of Kadalpur Union in the upazila. In it, at least five armed associates are seen standing next to Jana Alam. Some are holding shotguns, some are holding shutter guns, and some are holding AK-47-style weapons used by law enforcement agencies. It is not confirmed who or when the video was recorded.
The Raozan police station said that they have received the video and it is being verified. They claim that no criminal is out of sight. According to locals, Jana Alam is currently another name for terrorism in Raozan. This person, once known as an Awami League worker, has been forming a terrorist group of 20-30 people for a long time. He and his associates are involved in various criminal activities such as weapons training, kidnapping, extortion, recording confessional videos while holding hostages, and encroachment.
According to the police, there are at least 15 cases against Jana Alam in different police stations. He has four police-grade bulletproof jackets, six walkie-talkies and a live feed from the CCTV camera at Pahartali intersection, which can be viewed on his smartphone. Some local families have alleged that Alam had demanded a ransom of Tk 4 lakh from the people of the house where the viral video was recorded. The family was forced to leave their home when the money was not paid. According to the villagers, now he has become active in threatening not only the arms but the entire union.
Locals, who did not wish to be named, said that Alam is currently involved in arms and yaba trade as well as the illegal trade of Pahari Choli liquor. His close associates include Mahmud, Rubel, Tanur Alam, Mamun, Asad, Milton Barua, Uttam Barua, Sagar Barua, Rotan Barua and many others. The locals demand that Jane Alam should be arrested immediately and given exemplary punishment.
Police said that in 2005, four people, including Alam’s brother Azad, were killed in a joint force operation. Alam escaped briefly. After the raid, a licensed gun went missing, which allegedly expanded his criminal network. He is also accused by the victims of shooting a hill woman in Betbunia, Kaukhali, stabbing a hotel owner during an attempted robbery in Agrabad, Chittagong city, shooting an expatriate during a robbery in Pomra, kidnapping a businessman from Betagi, Rangunia and later killing him after collecting ransom. Alam is alleged to have kidnapped and raped a daughter of Dr. Farid of Bhomar Para, Kadalpur, Rangamati. He was convicted in that case too and had to serve a long prison sentence. When asked about the allegations, Jaane Alam claimed that the viral video was ‘made using technology’. He said, ‘Earlier, videos were made with girls, sometimes pictures were made in different ways and spread on social media. I don’t have the money to install CCTV. I am a poor man.’ Raojan Police Station OC Monirul Islam Bhuiyan said the allegations are being investigated seriously. ‘Regardless of political affiliation, no one is above the law if they commit a crime.’
Chittagong District Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations and Crime) Sirajul Islam said that seven groups are currently active in Raojan. Regular operations are underway to catch them. Weapons are being recovered and terrorists are being arrested almost every day. ‘Viral videos on Facebook are being verified. No criminal is beyond surveillance.’ It is worth noting that 18 murders have occurred in Raojan since August 5, 2024. Police say most of these incidents are centered on political dominance, extortion, sharing and encroachment.
