District police in Naogaon solved a snatching incident involving a scrap metal businessman’s pickup in Mahadebpur within just eight hours. Detective Branch (DB) and thana police arrested three people, including Krishak Dal (BNP’s farmers’ wing) leaders, on charges of involvement in the snatching and recovered Tk 9,03,000 from them.
Naogaon Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Tarikul Islam shared the information through a press release at the SP’s office on Wednesday (4 November) at 3 pm.
The incident occurred late on Tuesday night (3 November), around 7:45 pm, near the Chauddamil Bridge area on the Naogaon-Mahadebpur regional highway in Mahadebpur upazila. A joint operation was launched that same night, leading to the arrests from various locations.
Those arrested:
- Robin (25), son of the late Yad Ali of Ishwarlakshipur village in the upazila (currently a resident of Bagabari village in the upazila headquarters). He is the student affairs secretary of the Upazila Krishak Dal, BNP’s peasant wing.
- Munna (24), son of Sirajul Islam of Ramcharanpur South Para. He is another Krishak Dal leader. He previously faced a theft case and two other cases.
- Sohel Rana (25), son of Amjad Hossain of Dimjaun village and the pickup driver, identified as the main planner.
According to local sources and thana police, Abdul Alim (34), son of Abdul Bari Mandal of Raghabbaria village in Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj district, runs a scrap business in a rented shop (Naser Master’s shop) beside the government godown in Mahadebpur upazila. On Tuesday, the victim’s shop manager and cousin Majnu Mia (35) and pickup driver Sohel Rana (25) were returning to Mahadebpur from Bogura after selling scrap, carrying Tk 9,13,000 in cash.
When they reached the spot, the pickup suddenly broke down. At that time, the snatchers arrived on a motorcycle, lightly assaulted driver Sohel, severely beat manager Majnu Mia, snatched the Tk 9,13,000 cash from the sale, and fled. Locals responding to their cries rescued them and took them to Mahadebpur Upazila Health Complex. Majnu was later shifted to Naogaon Sadar Hospital for better treatment.
As soon as the matter came to the SP’s attention, he ordered an investigation. Mahadebpur Thana police and members of the Naohata police outpost quickly visited the scene. Under SP Mohammad Tarikul Islam’s directives, a team from the District Detective Police arrived. That night, a joint team of Mahadebpur Thana police and District Detective Branch (DB), under the SP’s supervision, conducted an overnight operation. Using technology and evidence, they quickly identified the accused and uncovered the snatching.
Munna was first arrested from his village home in Ramchandrapur; Tk 5,10,000 of the snatched money was recovered from his house. Based on Munna’s information, Robin was arrested from his rented house; Tk 3,93,000 of the snatched money and the unregistered motorcycle used in the crime were recovered from Robin’s house. Later, based on information from the two, driver Sohel Rana was arrested from Naogaon Sadar Hospital.
SP Tarikul Islam said that interrogation revealed driver Sohel and Munna were among the main planners of the snatching, while Robin played the leading role. All three had been planning the crime for the past week.
The SP further stated that Naogaon District Police will strictly suppress any crime on the roads, especially snatching and robbery, according to the law.
On the matter, Upazila Krishak Dal General Secretary Motiur Rahman Moti said that Upazila Krishak Dal student affairs secretary Robin will be expelled from the party.
This incident reflects police action against snatching/robbery involving grassroots BNP-affiliated (Krishak Dal) leaders, with swift arrests, recovery of the stolen money, and the party’s own move to expel the involved leader.