has emerged as the personification of fear across the isolated islands and sandbars (chars) of the Padma River, spanning three districts. Their reign of terror, fueled by sand quarry (balumahal) control, land grabbing, and widespread extortion, has made life unbearable for locals.
The latest wave of violence occurred just this Monday in Rajshahi’s Bagha upazila, where Kakon Bahini members allegedly opened fire indiscriminately during a turf war over control of a char, leaving two people dead. Disturbingly, a third body, believed to be a member of Kakon’s gang, was found floating in the Padma River yesterday,
Tuesday.
The Gang’s Iron Grip
The gang’s influence extends over the Padma chars bordering five upazilas: Bagha (Rajshahi), Lalpur (Natore), Ishwardi (Pabna), and Daulatpur and Bheramara (Kushtia). For over a decade, the Kakon Bahini has held virtually exclusive control of these strategic river zones.
• The Leader: The alleged mastermind, Md. Kakon, is 50-55 years old, hailing from Bheramara, Kushtia. An engineer by training, he returned from Saudi Arabia around 2007 and, reportedly under the protection of local Awami League leaders, began taking control of the valuable sand quarry leases.
• The Numbers: The gang now boasts around 40 members. About 8 to 10 armed men are said to reside with Kakon in the remote chars, while the rest manage extortion and sand control across the four districts.
• Business Model: Their primary income is extortion money levied from sand businesses. They seize sand-carrying vessels in mid-river if payments are not made. Kakon also leases sand quarries himself. He even operates a personal speedboat to dominate the river territory.
‘Shoot First’ Mentality and Recent Murders
Locals describe the gang as exceptionally reckless, resorting to gunfire over minor disputes. Many hoped Kakon’s activities would subside after the government change on August 5, but sources indicate his audacity has only grown.
The latest bloodshed on Monday unfolded when Kakon Bahini members confronted villagers from Neech Khanpur who were cutting straw on the char land, which the gang claims as its own.
• The Attack: After a verbal argument, the gang allegedly began firing indiscriminately. Four villagers—Aman Mandal, Muntaz Mandal, Nazmul Mandal, and Rabik Hossain—were shot.
• The Casualties: Aman Mandal and Nazmul Mandal later died, while Rabik and Muntaz are hospitalized in critical condition.
• The Floating Body: On Tuesday, police recovered the body of Md. Liton, a suspected Kakon Bahini member, near Bheramara. He had been killed with a sharp weapon, suggesting he may have been murdered during the Monday clash and his body dumped in the river.
Police have confirmed that a case regarding the gun attack will be filed at Daulatpur Police Station.
A History of Unchecked Violence
This is not an isolated incident. The gang has a long history of terror:
• June 5 (Ishwardi): The gang attacked a sand quarry, engaging in a “filmy-style” display of weapons, firing shots, vandalizing, and setting fire to a sales office after the owner refused to pay extortion money.
• June 9 (Ishwardi): Kakon himself allegedly led an attack, using his speedboat to abduct and brutally assault four Juba League workers. One victim was left for dead on the char.
• July 12 (Ishwardi): Gunshots were fired at a ghat (jetty) after the gang’s demand for extortion from a sand-laden boat was refused, wounding a local farmer.
Still Untouchable: Law Enforcement’s Struggle
Despite being a figure of constant discussion due to his continuous violent acts, Engineer Kakon remains at large. Law enforcement agencies have conducted repeated raids, yet he consistently manages to evade capture, often seeking refuge in the remote, armed camps in the chars.
• Arrests Made: Several gang members were arrested in June and July, with police recovering foreign firearms, ammunition, drugs, and even a list detailing the extortion money distribution. Kakon’s brother-in-law was among those detained.
• Police Response: The issue spans multiple police jurisdictions (Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna in one range; Kushtia in another). Kushtia SP Mizanur Rahman acknowledged the lack of specific complaints but confirmed that the police from the two ranges recently held a joint meeting to coordinate efforts and end the cross-district terrorism.
The question remains: When will the combined forces of the police bring an end to the Kakon Bahini’s decade-long control over the Padma River and its long-suffering communities?
