Fear of robbery and mugging persists on branch and link roads, Sonargaon residents demand more patrols

Photo: Collected

Local residents say fear of robbery on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, has eased considerably thanks to police activity and regular patrols. However, although the security situation on the highway has improved, complaints of occasional robbery, mugging and nuisance by drug users remain on the internal and link roads of the upazila. Locals have demanded more police surveillance and patrols on these roads too.

According to local sources, drivers and passengers were once afraid of robbery when travelling at night on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway from Kanchpur Bridge to Meghna Bridge. This concern was greater among drivers of goods-laden trucks, covered vans, long-distance buses and vehicles carrying expatriates. According to those concerned, the situation has improved recently as a result of increased activity by Sonargaon Police Station and Kanchpur Highway Police and regular drives.

Earlier, at a monthly law and order meeting, Narayanganj-3 MP Azharul Islam Mannan announced a tough stance against robbery, extortion and drugs. Since then, law enforcement agencies have been active in curbing crime, and Sonargaon Police Station has also been conducting regular drives and arresting people involved in various crimes.

However, despite this improvement on the highway, concerns about the various branch and link roads of the upazila have not gone away. Drivers, passengers and ordinary people travelling along deserted roads, especially at night, fear robbery and mugging.

According to locals, increased regular police patrols and surveillance on the highway are paying off; if patrols are increased in the same way on the upazila’s internal roads, criminal activity can be reduced further. To that end, they have demanded special surveillance by identifying crime-prone areas and stronger night-time security.

According to concerned citizens, greater coordination is needed between Sonargaon Police Station, Kanchpur Highway Police and the Taltala investigation centre to improve the overall law and order situation in Sonargaon. They also believe that security in crime-prone areas can be made more effective with the cooperation of local public representatives, people involved in transport and local residents.

Sonargaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Abdul Barik said, ‘I joined Sonargaon Police Station on 21 August this year. On the instructions of the Narayanganj Superintendent of Police, the police station’s drives to curb crime are continuing. So far, about 800 people have been arrested, including 30 robbers, drug sellers, drug users, accused in cases over the killing of anti-discrimination students and people, warrant-listed accused and those involved in various crimes.’ He also said the police station’s drives will continue to maintain peace and order and control crime in Sonargaon.

Locals hope the improvement in the security situation on the highway will be maintained, and that regular police patrols and surveillance will also be increased on the upazila’s important branch roads, ensuring safe movement for ordinary people.