His remnants terrorise neighbourhood

In fear of Hannan’s men, shops in Katalbagan are covered with grills. PHOTO: STAR

The absence of Pichchi Hannan has not stopped his men from terrorising Karwan Bazar, Rajabazar, Green Road, Kathalbagan and Panthapath areas.

The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on June 26 arrested Hannan, one of the 23 top criminals on the wanted list. Accused in 21 cases including murders, he had been lurking and terrorising the areas although he had a prize on his head.

Although in police custody, Hannan's operations are carried out by his well-organised group as his network of drug dealings and toll extortion from Kathalbagan to Farmgate was not snapped.

"He has a number of mobile connections and never use one twice a day," said a drug peddler of Hannan's syndicate in Karwan Bazar, adding he had seen him only once in the last two years.

This godfather has handpicked and nominated five to eight persons from his group to collect extortion area-wise. These nominees are given a percentage from the extortion collected.

"We practically see no change in our areas, even though Hannan is behind bars. His associates continue his work unhindered," said Hamidur Rahman (not real name), owner of a furniture showroom in Panthapath.

"I have never seen him, but I run my business paying him regularly. However, I have received his instructions by phone," the businessman added.

"It is better to be ruled by a single group. But now the number of local hoodlums demand extortion," said Sheikh Iaqub Ali, owner of a shop on Indira Road.

"Sweden Aslam, another criminal in custody, has got his group active and is trying to take control of Hannan's area. The underworld battle is going on in our area," said Mizan, a police source.

Hannan's groups are active in the open space behind the Basundhara Shopping Mall at Panthapath and on its adjacent road, a haven for dealers of drugs such as Phensidyl. This is another area where Aslam's men are trying to conquer.

"It was not an environment a decent family can live in. After the arrest of Hannan, the area has changed for the better. We hope it would continue to remain so," said Mustafizur Rahman, a resident of Green Road.