Sirajganj, Nov 11, V7N- Sohag Hasan Joy, Sirajganj: In Kamarkhanda upazila of Sirajganj, an unusual criminal tactic has left electric meter owners at the mercy of thieves demanding ransom via mobile payment. The thieves reportedly left a bKash number inside the empty meter boxes, instructing owners to send 5,000 taka per meter for their return.

This alarming trend has particularly affected irrigation projects and handloom factories in the area. According to locals, on the night of November 9, a total of 15 electric meters were stolen from Haidarpur, Kazipura, and Thakurjhipara villages.

Jamal Sarkar from Haidarpur described discovering his brother’s meter missing in the morning, with only an empty box and a token bearing a phone number left behind. When he tried to contact the number, the person responded dismissively, asking him to call back later.

Similarly, Mujammel Haque, a handloom factory owner from Thakurjhipara, reported that his factory meter was stolen. Upon calling the number left behind, he was instructed to pay 5,000 taka per meter for its return.

Moktar Hossain, Assistant General Manager of Sirajganj Palli Bidyut Samity-2's Kamarkhanda sub-zonal office, confirmed awareness of the thefts and assured that the organization is not involved. He mentioned that they would file a case if the victims do not.

Kamarkhanda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mokhlesur Rahman noted that no formal complaints have been received yet. He assured that once a complaint is filed, they will work swiftly to identify and apprehend those responsible and recover the stolen meters.

END/SHJ/RH