The daylight robbery in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Sunday, where muggers openly snatched Tk 10.75 lakh from an office vehicle, is a glaring reminder of the mounting threat to public safety. This shocking incident, involving a Nestlé distributor's vehicle, occurred on a busy street in broad daylight, reflecting an alarming increase of criminal activity in the city. Such crimes have alarmed the residents and have also raised serious questions regarding the effectiveness of law enforcement.
The robbery took place, when the vehicle was forced to slow down due to road repairs in the Mohammadia Housing area. Taking advantage of the situation, six robbers riding on motorcycles attacked the vehicle, smashing its windows and side mirrors before brandishing weapons to frighten the occupants. The gang rapidly made off with Tk 10.75 lakh in cash, leaving the victims panicked and the public shaken. This robbery, executed with shocking confidence, demonstrates how emboldened criminals have become, operating with no fear of being caught.
Just days earlier, on October 12, another robbery occurred in the same area, targeting a residential building. The reappearance of such crimes in swift succession signals a mounting trend of organised, strategic criminal activity in the capital. This has left the city dwellers and business owners in a state of intensified fear, as they feel increasingly vulnerable to such attacks. The pattern of these crimes suggests that the assailants are misusing security gaps, making it clear that urgent corrective measures are required.
The time for decisive action is now. The
law enforcement agencies must prioritise
these emerging threats and allocate the
essential resources to restore order and ensure public safety
To address this growing threat, the law enforcement agencies must take quick and decisive action. First and foremost, police presence in high-risk areas such as Mohammadpur must be significantly increased. Regular patrols, particularly during peak hours, may act as a preventive measure to likely muggers. Furthermore, setting up additional check posts at main locations and deploying security forces at strategic points across the city is necessary to avert further incidents. The use of modern surveillance systems, like CCTV cameras, must be expanded in these vulnerable areas, providing real-time monitoring and aiding in the identification and apprehension of assailants.
Businesses, especially those that handle large amounts of cash, also have a responsibility to adopt stronger security practices. Secure vehicles for cash transportation, varying bank deposit routes and schedules and using several secure methods of cash handling may significantly reduce the risk of mugging. Increased coordination between businesses and local law enforcement may also play a pivotal role in averting such crimes.
Although increasing police measures is critical, the community must also play an active role in improving security. Residents should be encouraged to report suspicious activities to the authorities concerned, raising greater trust and cooperation between the public and law enforcement agencies. Crime prevention is a collective responsibility and the engagement of citizens and businesses is crucial in maintaining a safe environment.
The escalation in daylight mugging threatens public safety and also undermines confidence in the city’s capability to protect its citizens. The lack of immediate, effective action from law enforcement agencies could lead to further increase of these criminal activities. The criminals are becoming more organised and without a firm and proactive response, the capital may witness an even more significant increase in such violent crimes.
The time for decisive action is now. The law enforcement agencies must prioritise these emerging threats and allocate the essential resources to restore order and ensure public safety. The city may regain control and provide its residents with the protection they deserve through stronger policing, better security infrastructure and active community cooperation. Only then may we hope to reverse the alarming trend of daylight mugging and bring those responsible to justice.
