Bangladesh, Nov. 29 -- Two of Dhakas most densely populated informal settlements-Geneva Camp and Pallabi Bihari Camp-have rapidly transformed into the capitals most volatile underworld hubs. Field investigations and intelligence reports reveal that these camps now host a heavily armed criminal ecosystem that is expanding under the cover of political turmoil and, according to investigators, benefiting from high-level political patronage. What is unfolding inside these enclaves poses a grave threat to public safety and to the stability of the capital.

Over the past year, the two camps have evolved into strongholds for armed groups, drug syndicates, extortion rings, and teenage gangs. Illegal stockpiles of weapons, active bomb-making factor...