Jan-e-Alam, one of the listed top criminals of the district, came of a very poor family to start his life as a cowboy and then as a helper of carpenters.

His rise as a criminal began when one Eskander, a cadre of now defunct National Democratic Party (NDP), picked him for an infamous criminal group known as Azizya Bahini in 1991. After joining the bahini, Jan-e-Alam killed Jahangir Alam, a local Juba League leader and union parishad member, and also killed a Chhatra League leader in 1992.

Soon he established his hold within the group (Azizya Bahini) led by Azizul Haq alias taxi driver Azizya, also a linchpin of the NDP.

Being in the good books of Azizya, he was given the responsibility of taking care of firearms the notorious gang procured illegally, and was allowed to carry arms.

After the dissolution of the NDP, Jan-e-Alam along with ringleader Azizul joined local Chhatra League loyal to Awami League (AL) leader ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, now AL lawmaker from Raozan and a former NDP leader.

Jan-e-Alam's notoriety came to light when he was arrested for abducting a local madrasa student in 1995.

He got bail in the abduction case a few months later and along with Azizul killed Saran Barua, a notorious cadre of Chhatra League in the port city.

In the late 90s, Jan-e-Alam's involvement in the killing of Fazal, a close aide of Azizul, jolted his (Azizul) trust in him. Hostility grew between the two and Azizul assaulted and injured him critically when he tried to flee with a big cache of firearms of the gang around two years ago.

The incident however proved a blessing for Jan-e-Alam. A local BNP lawmaker arranged his proper treatment and took him under his shelter to counter the AL faction loyal to Fazle Karim.

He was then inducted into 'Aziz Bahini' of Raozan, controlled by another Azizul Haq, a convicted murderer now in jail to walk the gallows.

As a member of Aziz Bahini backed by the local BNP legislator, he unleashed a reign of terror in the area through toll extortion, murders, robbery, rape and other criminal activities.

In about two years, the notorious criminal hailing from Harinkhinepara of Raozan upazila headquarters became a symbol of terror and panic in and around the area.

He took over charge of the group to make it known as Jan-e-Alam Bahini as Azizul Haq, convicted murderer of a Buddhist monk, was arrested with AK-47 rifles and a huge quantity of ammunition by army personnel from the bordering Hingala in Rangamati on May 12. His criminal activities spread over a vast area from Kadalpur to Haludia-Janipath close to Fatikchhari upazila.

People living in this vast area, including Brindaban, Dabua rubber garden, Chara Battoli, Dhalarmukh and Haludia-Janipath, could not think of running any business without paying him a monthly toll. Owners of around 20 brick kilns on both sides of Chittagong-Rangamati Road at Raozan had to pay him toll regularly.

To escape arrest, the shrewd criminal used to keep off home most of the time and forced many people to vacate their houses to make room for him and his accomplices.

Victims of the gang distributed sweets and brought out jubilant processions in Raozan as they received the death news of Jan-e-Alam and his gang members.