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Robbery on rise in Lama but police 'indifferent'

31 May 2009, 18:00 PM

NATIONAL

Monirul Islam Monu, Bandarban

People of Lama upazila pass worrying time due to frequent incidents of robbery and mugging while the law enforcers remain indifferent to the situation. Locals alleged, besides mugging, at least six big robberies were committed in the upazila in last four weeks but police failed to nab any robber or recover the booty. To cover up their failure, police detained three people 'on suspicion', they said. Mohammed Ismail, Lama upazila chairman, told The Daily Star that law and order in the district is worsening fast. “We are trying our best to improve the situation, but unfortunately the role of the police is not satisfactory," the upazila chairman said. According to locals, the incidents of mugging are also on rise. Motorbike riders are the main target on different roads of Lama. Six mile area on the Lama-Fansiakhali road has become a heaven for muggers, they said. In one such recent incident, a group of muggers waylaid Nitya Das, a doctor, when he was returning home by a motorbike. They took away Tk 50 thousand from him injuring him seriously with sharp weapons. An expatriate from Saudi Arabia lost Tk one lakh when he fell victim to mugging on the same road on May 12. Two days later, Farid Uddin, a small trader lost all the his cash to robbers on Lama-Gozalia DC Road. Highway robbers also robbed a passenger jeep on May 21 at Saper Gera point on Fansiakhali Road. Two robberies were committed at Lamar Mukh and Noyapara under Lama municipality on May 24 and May 27. At least 27 tolas of gold and over Tk 2 lakh in cash were looted from two houses. The upazila chairman said they had the information that some criminals from outside the upazila recently took shelter in remote hill areas and are committing the crimes amid ongoing drives by law enforcement agencies. Lama police said they have already taken some 'effective steps' to round up the members of bandit groups. “We have arrested three criminals. None can slip through our net,” a Lama police official boasted.