For the second consecutive night on Thursday, robberies were reported in various parts of the capital.
However, many of those apprehended claimed their primary intention was to create chaos, allegedly under the directives of certain leaders from the ousted Awami League.
A significant security vacuum emerged as police officers nationwide abandoned their stations, fearing retaliation for the actions of some of their colleagues who had persecuted student protesters.
These prosecutions continued up until the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, which was brought down by mass student-led protests.
In the early hours Thursday, robberies were also reported in Narayanganj, Rajshahi, Gopalganj and Chapainawabganj. At least 29 were caught and some others were beaten to death by vigilant locals.
Following the ouster of AL government, almost all police personnel went into hiding, fearing reprisals for their complicity in protester killings, creating a gaping security hole, and encouraging miscreants to commit rampant robberies.
However, on Thursday, locals formed night patrol groups in different areas of the capital including Mohammadpur, Mirpur and Uttara.
The Army had already provided hotline emergency numbers, and on Thursday, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also fixed its hotline numbers for providing emergency security support.
Attempted robberies occurred in Mohammadpur, Bosila, Shekhertek, Jigatala, Hazaribagh, Shonir Akhra, Mirpur, ECB intersection, Uttara, Arshinagar, Atibazar, Nayabazar, as well as in Gazipur and Tongi College Road areas from midnight on Wednesday until 3am Thursday.
Most of the robbers are teenagers and street garbage collectors.
In the Pallabi area of Mirpur, 17 people were detained while attempting to commit robbery, according to social media posts by locals. They were handed over to the army.
However, two children were killed by miscreants as they rampaged through the area with sharp weapons.
The captured 17 miscreants confessed to locals that they were operating on the instructions of some Awami League leaders. They also mentioned the name of Nahid, a local terrorist, who has been working to recruit 300 youths for conducting night robberies.
In the Mohammadpur area, five people were detained with weapons by local residents and later handed over to the army. Additionally, a few people were also detained by local residents in the Uttara area.
They believe these robbers are being supplied with weapons and money to execute their plans, and that the simultaneous robberies across the country are meant to create widespread panic.
A person named Sumi said that robbers had entered Basila Metro Housing and City Housing. During the robbery, they took cash and gold from several houses at gunpoint.
After the army arrived, the robbers re-entered City Housing but could not enter any houses there. Local residents managed to catch two of them before the rest fled.
Marina Mitu, a resident of Mirpur, said, "Around 200-300 robbers entered our UCB area at about 9 pm. They started attacking randomly as soon as they entered. Two children playing on the street were seriously injured. Later, we, the residents, chased them, positioned ourselves at all exit gates, and managed to detain many of them, handing them over to the army. Initially, they confessed that they were doing this robbery for serving the interest of a local influential Awami League leader in exchange for money. They are residents of the Kalshi Bihari Camp. However, the situation normalized around 3 am."
Residents reported that upon hearing about the robbers in their area, people announced alerts in mosques. Following this, many people took to the streets and chased the robbers.
Nasimul Gani Khan said, "They initially admitted that they are mainly Biharis from Millat Camp who are not political activists. Nevertheless, they conducted the attack after receiving money from a local influential Awami League leader."
No Awami League leader could be reached via phone for comment on this allegation.
Piyal Sarkar from Sector 11 in Uttara reported on Facebook Live that there were robbers in his area. The robbers were trying to rob every house and they were calling various army numbers for help, but all lines were busy, he said. Many people called their relatives for assistance and urged everyone in the vicinity to come out onto the streets.
Shah Alam, a resident of Uttara Sector 11, used Facebook Live to inform everyone about the robbery in the area and requested assistance. "We have announced the robbery situation through loudspeakers. This incident happened on Road 5 in Sector 11 around 3:30 am."
Reports indicate that robberies were committed in Mirpur 12, Pallabi, Basila, Mohammadpur, Uttara.
Following these reports, residents in various areas of the capital have formed anti-robbery committees and are distributing phone numbers to provide quick assistance.
BDST: 1748 HRS, AUG 08, 2024
MN/SMS
