M M Jasim :
Mehedi Hasan Mithu, a businessman, on Tuesday went to City Bank in the city’s Dilkusha area for exchanging BD taka with US dollar. A group of 10 persons stopped him and offered to exchange it. Mithu gave Tk 40,000, but after a few minutes the group refused to help him and returned Tk 25,000 only. Mithu reacted but did not get response.
Mithu, however, got some money after negotiation with them.
Another incident occurred a few days ago. A couple came to Dilkusha, an area where some money exchange houses are located. A syndicate member targeted them and snatched about Tk 3 lakh. They cried for help but none responded.
These are only two incidents of forgery and mugging. Such incidents occur every day under the very nose of the law enforcing agencies.
Some criminals in the guise of broker for money exchange often snatch money from the people who go to banks in Dilkusha area for money exchange. Some victims of such snatching say a good number of syndicate are active in the crime. Shariful Islam, a vendor, told The New Nation on Tuesday that every group comprising 8-10 members move to the area and target the persons who come here for money exchange. They grab the total money and sometimes a portion. Someone who somehow gets to influential persons in the city can realise the money snatched. But most of the victims go empty-handed, he said.
Some officials of the law enforcing agencies say that they have nothing to do if the victims do not lodge any complaint.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Motijheel Zone of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Anwar Hossain told The New Nation, “Police have been looking for the snatchers. But it is difficult to detain them if the victims do not file any complaint with the police station.”
He also requested the victims to inform the police just after the incident in any place of the Motijheel Zone.
Officer-in-Charge of Motijheel Police Station Omar Faruque said, “The snatchers’ syndicate is very powerful. The snatchers introduce themselves as businessmen when they are caught by the law enforcers.”
