Criminals say goodbye to crimes

Eighty-five thieves of the village along with their 10 sardars (leaders), who were criminals for generations, have vowed to lead honest life.

The credit goes to Nilphamari Police Superintendent Chowdhury Abdullah al-Mamun, Grameen Bank AGM for Nilphamari Zone Jahangir Hossain, Area Manager Altaf Hossan and Tupamari Union Parishad Chairman Babul Chowdhury.

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The 85 made the public pledge at a solemn function on Kisamat Dogachhi mosque premises on Monday, where

Grameen Bank gave loans to wives of all of them for income generating activities.

Besides the SP and Grameen Bank officials, Nilphamari thana OC Ziaul Kabir, local UP Chairman Babul Chowdhury, Headmaster of Nilpamari Girls High School and local elite were present at the function attended by a large crowd.

Babul Hossain told the function that more thieves would surrender soon.

The village is only six kilometres from the district town.

"We ruined our lives but we want to see our children as good citizens", Tojam told this correspondent at the function.

Many of Tojam's former gangmates including Azira, Ripon, Sumon and Tasir expressed the same sentiment. Their fathers and grandfathers were also known criminals in the area.

Some of them said good sense started haunting their minds when their children started going to school under government grants.

"On return from school, my son wept and said he was called son of a thief by classmates", lamented Tojam while talking to this correspondent.

"Others hate our children at school and do not mix with them, Samad said.

It was learnt from the villagers that some of the children guard their fathers at night to prevent them from going out for stealing.

UP Chairman Babul Chowdhury played a key role when some of the thieves told him that they want to lead a normal life.

Babul consulted with the SP.

"After joining I came to know about the village of thieves" the SP said talking to this correspondent.

"I instructed my force to keep an watchful eye on the village. I also thought about alternative professions if they give up crimes".

The SP talked to officials of a number of local NGOs for loans if they return to normal life. But none agreed to operate in the village of criminals.

Only Grameen Bank came forward, the SP said.

The SP in his speech at the function said that every body has equal rights in the society if that person abides by law.

"I want to consider the matter from humanitarian ground", the SP added.

"Their children have the right to be educated and grow up as good citizens", he said.

Grameen Bank AGM Jahangir Hossen said his bank accepted the SP's proposal to help criminals bring back to normal life.

If they repay loans properly, they will be given bigger loans and their children will get scholarship and education loan, he said.

UP Chairman Babul Chowdhury said he would personally supervise that the loans are properly utilised.

"I want to erase the ill reputation of my village".

At the function, Tk two lakh 81 thousand was distributed among wives of the 85 former criminals.

The women promised that they would buy rickshaws, rickshaw vans, start groceries, cloth business and rear cows and goats.

While taking the loan money, Joy Mala, wife of Shamaj, expressed the fear that her husband could be victim of false cases in future.

In reply, the SP said in such a case, he would order proper investigation to find out the truth.