Notorious dope gangs, popularly known as ‘Ogyan Party,’ have become active in the Sylhet ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Members of the gangs snatch money and other valuables from people after making them unconscious through sedatives.
The dope gangs especially operate at shopping centres and bus terminals in the city where shoppers and passengers throng ahead of Eid.
Sylhet Osmani Medical College and Hospital (SOMCH) sources said at least 4-5 victims take treatment at the hospital everyday after being robbed by the members of the notorious gangs.
According to intelligence agencies, dope gangs are active in at least 20 spots of the Sylhet. These are Surma market, Taltola, Bandarbazar, Upashohar, Mirabazar, Dogagate, Rikabi bazar, Amborkhana, Tokerbazar Point, Kodomtaly Bus terminal and Kin Bridge area.
Several incidents of looting by the members of ‘Ogyan Party’ occurred in and around the Sylhet in the last few days although the law enforcers remained vigilant to check the crime.
Sources said members of the notorious gang go after commuters and shoppers and feed them sedatives with other foods to make their mission successful.
Sometimes, the gang members introduce themselves as RAB or detective personnel to befool people and dope them to loot their money and mobile phones.
Members of law enforcement agencies have miserably failed to combat the crime, sources alleged. In some cases, when the law enforcers managed to arrest the gang members, the criminals managed to come out free on bail due to poor investigation and evidence collection.
Rahmat Ullah, the assistant commissioner (Media wing) of SMP, told that ‘We have tightened security in and around the city shopping malls ahead of Eid.’
Several teams of the Intelligence department and police have also been deployed in the city’s important areas to prevent the activities of the criminals, he said, adding: ‘We are also trying to nab the members of the notorious gangs.’
