Rampal, 23 Aug (V7N)- There is widespread fear and panic among shrimp enclosure owners due to a series of thefts carried out by a group known as Alamin Gong. The incidents are particularly concentrated in Rampal Upazila of Bagerhat, where both enclosure owners and local residents are frightened by the ongoing robberies.

Motahar Hossain, a member of the BNP convening committee in Rampal Upazila, reported that on Thursday afternoon, Alamin Sheikh, the General Secretary of Bhojpatia Union BNP, along with hundreds of people, looted a significant amount of fish from his 240-bigha prawn enclosure. They stole cash amounting to 1 lakh 42 thousand BDT and other goods. Hossain claims that this robbery was conducted with the support of Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Tuhin, the convenor of Rampal Thana BNP, who is allegedly condoning the actions.

Tarafdar Enamul Haque Prince, President of Bhojpatia Union BNP, reported that on Wednesday night, Alamin Gong looted a 100-bigha enclosure owned by Shahina Begum. The thieves took away Bagda shrimp worth 80 thousand BDT, Baila fish worth 8 thousand BDT, and prawn fish worth 2 thousand BDT. Shahina Begum also stated that during the robbery, Alamin demanded 5 lakh BDT and threatened to take over the enclosure if the payment was not made. Furthermore, Alamin reportedly managed to prevent these incidents from being reported to the police.

On Thursday evening, Alamin Gong looted fish worth 80,000 BDT from a 90-bigha enclosure owned by Mohammad Ali near Dakra Bazar in Perikhali Union. Earlier, on Wednesday night, the group had also stolen fish worth lakhs from Mir's 150-bigha enclosure in the same union.

The repeated thefts have led to an atmosphere of fear among enclosure owners, who are too afraid to report the incidents to the police. Alamin has denied any involvement in these thefts, claiming neither he nor his associates are responsible for the robberies.

END/AHSM/DHK/RH