Highway robberies on rise in southwestern region

Robberies on roads and highways have increased in the southwestern region, making journeys dangerous for the commuters.

At least 24 robberies took place on different roads and highways in 10 districts in the region since April 13, police records and newspaper reports say.

Two robbers were killed and five policemen were injured in gunfights with robbers. Around 50 people were also injured by armed robbers during the period.

Police said organised gangs connected with inter-districts rings are involved in the robberies, which take place at night.

The robbers stop the vehicles, mostly passenger buses, and take cash and valuables from the passengers. Sometimes they attack the passengers who protest or try to protect themselves.   

The robbers carry out their attacks by felling trees on highways to stop the vehicles.

These are Kushtia-Magura highway, Kushtia-Jhenidah highway, Jessore-Khulna highway, Khulna-Satkhira highway, Jhenidah-Chuadanga highway, Kushtia-Meherpur highway and Kushtia-Rajbari highway.

Five robberies took place on Kushtia-Magura highway, 12 on Kushtia-Rajbari highway, three on Jhenidah-Chuadanga highway, four on Khulna-Satkhira and three on Jessore-Khulna highway.

The number of robberies was 11 between March 13 and April 12, according to police records and newspaper reports.

Police and other law enforcers seem to be helpless as the vulnerable places are mostly away from the main towns and the robberies take place at night.

At least 20-25 inter-district gangs with around 200-250 members are active in the region, committing robbery on the highways, according to some police officials of the region.   

At least two robbers were killed in Magura and Kushtia districts and 7seven injured on the spot during gunfights between police and robbers in the last 10 days in Kushtia, Magura and Rajbari.

The ringleader of an inter-district gang, Rafiqul, was killed in a gunfight on Magura-Jessore road in Magura Sadar upazila on April 18, and robber leader Milon Ali was killed in a gunfight between his cohorts and police in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia on April 21.

Law enforcers arrested Abdul Hamid, the ringleader of an inter-district gang, following a gunfight with his cohorts at Kolanagar village in Pangsha upazila of Rajbari on April 20.

Police also recovered firearms and sharp weapons from them.

“We have highway patrol police teams but their number is not enough to check robberies on the roads and highways,” said Proloy Chisim, Superintendent of Police, Kushtia.