Rising robberies fuel nat’l unease, public panic
Syed Shemul Parvez :
Robbery, snatching, murders, and injuries have risen at an alarming rate across the country, including in the capital city, recently. As evening falls, a sense of panic descends on the minds of the nation’s residents.
As a result, many people have spent sleepless nights in certain areas of the country.
In Pabna, robbers looted at least 40 vehicles, including buses and trucks, in Santhia Upazila after blocking traffic on a regional highway with felled trees. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.
The robbery occurred around 1:30 am on Friday near the Tolot area along the Pabna-Santhia road, according to Saidur Rahman, the chief of Santhia Police Station.
Police said the robbers initially stopped a goods truck by placing a tree trunk on the road.
Within moments, several vehicles – buses, trucks, and cars – were stranded. Around 40 to 50 robbers, armed with machetes, knives, and other weapons, then looted the vehicles.
They vandalised vehicles that were slow to open their doors, and transport workers and passengers were beaten while their mobile phones, money, and other valuables were stolen.
Locals said the looting lasted for about an hour.
Abdus Salam, a victim of the robbery, shared a video on Facebook following the incident. “A robbery occurred on this road a short while ago. The robbers blocked the road with tree trunks and looted vehicles. They suddenly attacked our vehicle,” he said.
“They repeatedly bashed the vehicle and demanded we open the door. Once inside, they held the driver at knifepoint around his neck and stomach.
They did the same to others, taking everything. We pleaded with them, ‘Take whatever you want, but please don’t hurt anyone.’ No one was harmed in our vehicle. After pleading with them, they returned two of my mobile phones.”
In Shariatpur, two people were beaten to death, and eight others were injured by a mob during an attempted robbery of a freight ship on the Kirtonasha River.
At least five others were injured by gunfire and hand bombs thrown by the robbers during the incident, which occurred around 11:30 pm on Friday, according to Shariatpur Superintendent of Police Nazrul Islam.
Police have yet to identify the deceased individuals. Among those injured by the robbers’ gunfire are 35-year-old Tota Mia, 30-year-old Masum Mia, and 19-year-old Alamin.
Two of the injured are in critical condition and have been transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, while the others are receiving treatment at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital.
In Savar, robbers stole goods worth approximately Tk 5 crore from a closed sweater factory in Ashulia between 8 pm on Friday and 4 am on Saturday.
The robbery took place at the Magpie Sweater Factory in the Jirabo area of Yarpur Union, according to factory director Afroz Al Mamun. He said that law enforcement officials visited the scene after receiving reports of the crime.
Police, along with industrial police and army personnel, inspected the scene after receiving the information. The factory had been closed for some time due to various issues, Mamun added.
Superintendent of Police for Industrial Police-1, Mominul Islam, said authorities are investigating the crime and working to arrest the robbers.
In response to the rising crime wave, Inamul Haque Sagar, AIG (Media and PR) at the Police Headquarters, told The New Nation that police have taken adequate measures to combat crime, including robberies and snatchings, across the country.
He emphasised that extra police officers have been deployed at key locations across the country. “We are working tirelessly to restore law and order. In this regard, we seek the cooperation of the public,” AIG Inamul added.
Dr. Touhidul Haque, Social Crime Specialist and Associate Professor at Dhaka University, told The New Nation that the increase in various crimes, including robbery and snatching, has been driven by a lack of proper coordination within law enforcement agencies. “As a result, many criminals – both big and small – are taking advantage of the situation,” he said.
He added that there is no strategic research being conducted by law enforcement on the types of crimes occurring daily. “Crime tactics and circumstances have changed, but the police or law enforcement agencies continue to operate in outdated ways.
In some places, there is no visible presence of law enforcement. Yet, they continue to claim that the law and order situation is good. They must accept the reality and focus on improving the situation,” Dr. Touhidul said.
In response to the growing concerns, the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced that it will carry out special operations and take “all-out action” against criminals during Ramadan to ensure public safety.
DMP DB chief and Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallik made the announcement while addressing a press conference at the DMP Media Centre in the capital’s Minto Road on Saturday. “DB is tirelessly working to maintain law and order, and in addition to regular operations, DB will initiate special intelligence-based operations during Ramadan,” he said.