Mugging in Dhaka city up again

Incidents of mugging have gone up significantly in and around the capital in the recent times despite the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) claims that it is paying special attention to combat such crimes.

The rise in such crime lately has made the people panicky.

At least four people lost their lives in the hands of muggers during last one week in Dhaka.

Policemen and victims of mugging incidents said in most cases, mugging occurs in crowded places, like - terminals of various transportations, commercial areas, and the points where vehicles remain stuck up due to congestion, so that muggers can dodge the eyes of law-enforcers.

According to the statistics of Bangladesh Police Headquarter, a total of 103 mugging incidents were registered in 2017, up by over 400 per cent from 2016 when the number was only 20.

The number of filling cases also rose to 657 in 2017 from 151 in 2016. But the official data does not represent the actual scenario as many incidents remain unreported.

Criminologists mainly blamed the growing trend of drug addiction among young and teenage people for the rise in the incidents of mugging.

The criminals often use stolen private cars and motorbikes to commit crimes at midnight and early hours since their escape during these periods remains rather easy.

Even, they use fake handcuffs and other such things that the plainclothes use before trapping their targets, DMP sources said.

Sometimes, the crimes turn too violent that take away valuable lives as has been witnessed several times in the densely-populated capital.

In the last couple of months, four people were killed and some others injured during violent mugging incidents reported in areas like Mohammadpur, Banani, Chawkbazar, Kadamtoli, Bangshal, Dhanmondi and Uttara.

In December, a brutal incident of mugging occurred when a six-month-old baby fell off his mother's lap and died instantly, as a mugger tried to snatch the bag of the mother in the capital's Doyaganj area.

On January 26 last miscreants riding a private car snatched the vanity bag of one Helena Begum who was passing through a street at Dhanmondi, and eventually dragged her under the wheels of the vehicle that left her dead.

In another incident that was reported on February 1, a 'BKash' employee named Al-Amin was stabbed to death in the city's Uttara area on his way after collecting money from agents of the mobile-based financial service.

Many of the victims do not go to police stations to record the incidents of mugging, fearing hassle and assuming indifference on the part of the law-enforcers to take any action in this regard.

Abdul Baten, a private sector service provider, was robbed by muggers a month ago in Tejgaon industrial area near Hatirjheel.

He told the FE that after finishing his work in Tangail, he returned to Mohakhali Bus Terminal in the capital. From there he was going to his Banasree residence by a CNG-run auto-rickshaw.

When the three-wheeler reached near Hatijheel, its driver stopped the vehicle and four unknown youths on two bikes came to the scene.

"They (the youths) asked me to come out of the vehicle, searched my body at gun-point, and took away Tk 60,000 that I was carrying," he said.About the reason behind his apathy to file a report to the police, Mr Baten shared another experience of being mugged at Karwanbazar two years ago.

He said he had reported that incident to the police, but has not got any feedback even after two years.

When contacted, DMP Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman said tackling mugging is one of the priorities of the metropolitan police.

Policemen, both in uniform and plainclothes, are working in various parts of the city as part of their intensified watch against the muggers. Besides, an increased numbers of check-posts are also installed at different parts of the city, he also said.

"A good number of muggers were also arrested by them over the last few months and the drives are going on. There is nothing to be panicked," he added.

Dr Arup Ratan Choudhury, founder president of Association for Prevention of Drug Abuse (MANAS), expressed his concern over the growing incidents of mugging.

He said the use of contraband drugs, especially Yaba, is increasing alarmingly in the country, triggering many criminal acts like snatching and theft.

"The addicts need money urgently to buy their drugs. That's why criminals often become too violent. We need to focus more on stopping trade of illegal drugs. If we can do it successfully, we can control such incidents," he said.

He also urged every guardian to remain updated about the status of their sons and daughters along with their friends as well.

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