Police have arrested three active members of an inter-district robbery gang in connection with a sensational robbery on a passenger boat in Mithamain upazila of Kishoreganj. An engine-powered boat used in the crime, looted mobile phones, and a large cache of locally made weapons were also recovered during the operation.
The information was disclosed by Kishoreganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Mizanur Rahman at a press briefing held at the district police office conference room on Tuesday (June 16).
The arrested suspects have been identified as Md. Julhas Uddin (44), son of the late Ismail Hossain of Kajipara village under Katkhal area of Mithamain; Ehsanul Haque Fakir alias Ihsanul Haque (26), son of Md. Hares Mia of Bajakpur village; and Rubel Mia (31), son of Madhu Mia of Borokanda Madhupur village.
According to the SP, the trio were arrested in coordinated raids conducted by district police and local police with the assistance of information technology. The operations were carried out in Savar and Kamrangirchar in Dhaka, as well as in Mithamain.
Police said the suspects have records of involvement in multiple criminal cases, including theft and drug-related offences, filed at different police stations.
Describing the incident, SP Mizanur Rahman said that on June 7, a passenger boat carrying 20 to 22 passengers left Mithamain launch ghat for Balikhola ghat in Karimganj. At around 7:30 pm, the boat stopped for nearly 20 minutes south of Hasanpur Bridge due to adverse weather conditions. Shortly after resuming its journey, a group of 10 to 12 masked robbers arrived on an engine-powered boat and intercepted the passenger vessel.
The robbers allegedly held passengers hostage at weapon-point and looted mobile phones and other valuables before fleeing the scene.
Following the incident, boatman Jamal Mia filed a case with Mithamain Police Station on June 15.
After the case was filed, Mithamain Police and the District Detective Branch (DB) launched a joint investigation. On June 15, police first arrested Ehsanul Haque from Savar. Based on information obtained from him, Julhas Uddin was later arrested from Kamrangirchar. Subsequent interrogation and intelligence gathering led police to another operation in Mithamain the same night, where Rubel Mia was apprehended.
During the raids, police recovered five looted mobile phones, including one feature phone, the engine-powered boat used in the robbery, machetes, iron rods, and 20 spears of various sizes from a hideout used by the gang.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Nazmus Sakib and Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Shariful Haque were also present at the press briefing.
