Jhenaidah, Jan 23, (V7N) - The town of Jhenaidah and its surrounding areas have experienced a significant increase in theft incidents, causing growing concern among local residents and business owners. Over the past eight days, thieves have targeted 32 shops and one home in the district, leaving people feeling insecure as the authorities have yet to apprehend the suspects.
 
The first incident occurred on January 12, when a theft took place in 18 shops at the Hatgopalpur market in the district's Sadar Upazila. The thieves managed to steal nearly Tk 4 lakh from 13 shops, although five shops suffered damage but were not robbed. The same night, four shops in the New Hatkhola and Castle Bridge areas of Jhenaidah town were also looted.
 
Another theft took place on January 16 at the Gopalpara market, where 10 shops across two markets were targeted. On the following Sunday, a robbery occurred in the Ghoshpura area, where thieves broke into a house, stealing over Tk 1 lakh and nearly seven tolas of gold jewelry. The victim, Lutfa Khatun, Secretary of the Surat Union Parishad, expressed her shock, saying she never imagined such an incident could happen in the city during the day.
 
Reports indicate that the thefts in Hatgopalpur and Gopalpara markets followed a similar pattern: thieves broke one side of the locks or used a stick to bend the shop shutters before stealing cash from drawers. These incidents occurred between midnight and 3:30 AM.
 
Business owners suggest that the robberies may be linked to a dispute among shopkeepers' associations, with one group allegedly taking advantage of the situation. Both markets have security guards and police patrols, making the thefts even more concerning.
 
Tanveer Ahmed, a cosmetic shop owner at Gopalpara market, said that business owners are feeling insecure. He questioned how they could continue their businesses under such circumstances.
 
Following a political change in August 2022, a 35-member committee was formed by BNP activists in Hatgopalpur market, leading to tensions with the 11-member election committee formed earlier. In Gopalpara market, the absence of a functioning committee led some business owners to take matters into their own hands for security.
 
The police have filed cases against unknown individuals in the Hatgopalpur thefts, but no arrests have been made so far. In Gopalpara, one suspect was detained by the local business owners and handed over to the police. A case was filed on January 16, identifying two individuals, both from Gopalpara village.
 
Meanwhile, no cases have been filed for the robberies in the city, and no suspects have been identified. This has further raised concerns about safety among the public.
 
Rustam Ali, a security coordinator at Gopalpara market, mentioned that the lack of coordination among business owners, along with political issues, may contribute to the problem. He emphasized that a collective effort is needed to prevent such incidents, as many of the thieves are believed to be from neighboring villages.
 
Jahangir Hossain Mintu, the secretary of the newly formed market committee in Hatgopalpur, suggested that some people with political ties might be involved in the thefts.
 
Jhenaidah's Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration), Imran Zakaria, said that some criminals are exploiting the situation to carry out the thefts. While the police have not yet provided detailed information on the cause of the incidents, they are actively working to identify the thieves and uncover the full truth.
 
END/MJA/RH/