New Dhaka Times: Desk Report
In the aftermath of Bangladesh’s mass uprising, at least six notorious terrorists released from prison are currently attempting to leave the country. It has already been confirmed that top terrorist Sanjidul Islam alias Imon has obtained a passport and left Bangladesh. Similarly, several other dangerous criminals, including Sweden Aslam, are planning to leave the country. Reports suggest that many of them have already managed to obtain passports.
Sources indicate that following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year, several infamous criminals who had been incarcerated for a long time—Killer Abbas, Sweden Aslam, Picchi Helal, Imon, Khandaker Naeem Ahmed alias Titon, and Khorshed Alam alias Rasu (Freedom Rasu)—were released. While some initially stayed low-key in their local areas, they later began reorganizing their criminal gangs.
Meanwhile, another top terrorist, Subrata Bain, returned from India, taking advantage of the unstable situation in Bangladesh. Though he claimed in court that he had been held in solitary confinement for two years, intelligence reports state that after returning to Bangladesh, he reassembled his old gang and turned areas like Badda, Gulshan, and Moghbazar in the capital into centers of extortion and murder.
On the other hand, gangs led by Sweden Aslam, Titon, and others are actively engaged in mugging and extortion in various areas including Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Adabor, Kafrul, and Uttara.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner S.N. Nazrul Islam stated, “We have ongoing special operations to capture the terrorists. Security has been further tightened ahead of Eid.” He added, “Top terrorists must be brought to justice. They will not be allowed to escape.”
A confidential source reported that these dangerous terrorists, released on bail, are attempting to flee the country. However, some are facing obstacles in acquiring passports. For instance, Sweden Aslam and Titon are unable to obtain passports due to not having a National ID (NID). On the other hand, those with NIDs are reportedly facing no major issues in getting their passports.
A Passport Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Currently, passports are being issued based on NID without police verification. However, if there is a court restriction, the passport is not issued. In cases of suspicion, we seek opinion from the Ministry of Home Affairs.”
Md. Shamim Khan, Additional Secretary of the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs (Security and Immigration Wing), said, “We are occasionally consulted on passport-related matters and provide directives according to the law. However, at the moment, I cannot comment on the passports of top terrorists.”
However, the Passport Department official also remarked, “Top terrorists are still citizens of this country. They have the right to a passport. If they go abroad, crime in Bangladesh might decrease. But having a passport does not necessarily mean they will easily get a visa.”