Motorcycle thefts have surged dramatically in Raipur of Laksmipur, leaving motorcycle owners feeling helpless in the face of organised criminal activities.
Numerous gangs, comprising at least 10 unions and municipal cities in the upazila vicinity, are actively involved in these nefarious activities. Despite motorcycle owners taking extra precautions, including employing various mechanical technologies, they find themselves unable to thwart the escalating thefts.
Over the past month alone, this syndicate has successfully stolen a minimum of 30 motorcycles, targeting individuals ranging from lawyers and public representatives to journalists, party leaders, and NGO officials. The affected motorcycle owners have filed separate general diaries and cases at local police stations, yet law enforcement has not managed to apprehend any members of the thieving syndicate or recover the stolen motorcycles.
One recent incident saw a group of organized thieves breaking into lawyer Anwar Mridhar's garage on Mirganj road, making off with a Yamaha motorcycle in a mere five minutes, as captured by City TV footage. The brazen thieves also targeted the Suzuki motorcycle of Raipur Reporters Unity president, journalist Peerzada Masood Hossain, in the same area.
According to local and district intelligence sources, Raipur has witnessed 63 motorcycle thefts in the last three months alone, with over fifty stolen motorcycles subsequently sold. These pilfered vehicles circulate freely in both the upazila city and surrounding areas. Organized gangs, armed with fake keys, unlock motorcycles in broad daylight, creating a sense of insecurity among the populace.
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Several areas, including the upper road of the road embankment, new market area, municipal office surroundings, bus terminal area, and various market areas in Raipur, have become hotspots for these organized thieves. These criminals sell stolen motorcycles at discounted prices through a network of brokers, allowing the vehicles to move unchecked in villages and cities without proper documentation.
Victims report that organized thieves target the busiest areas of the upazila during daylight hours, yet law enforcement struggles to curb their activities. Concerns are rising among the public that if these thefts persist, ordinary citizens may become hostages to these criminal gangs. Recent incidents include motorcycle thefts from Bepari house and the home of Char Mohana Union member Anwar Hossain.
Prominent figures, such as Jubo League leader Awlad Hawladar, have also fallen victim to this wave of motorcycle thefts, with incidents reported in Khaserhat Bazar. Even offices, such as the BRAC NGO office in Hyderganj Aziz Munshi Bhavan, have not been spared, losing five motorcycles in January.
Raipur Upazila traffic inspector Parvez Alam revealed that around two thousand motorcycles traverse the municipal city and surrounding areas daily, with 3 to 4 hundred lacking necessary documentation, making them susceptible to theft. He highlighted the challenges posed by lobbying from politically influential individuals, hindering campaigns against illegal motorcycles.
In response to the escalating crisis, Raipur Upazila Chairman Principal Mamunur Rashid expressed concern, urging swift administrative action. He noted that even journalists, lawyers, and public representatives are not immune to this motorcycle theft syndicate.
Raipur police station's Officer-in-charge (investigation) Samshul Arifin confirmed the filing of multiple cases and general diaries related to motorcycle theft. The police are actively engaged in operations to apprehend the organized gangs responsible for the surge in thefts.