Law and order in Gurudaspur upazila of Natore has deteriorated sharply over the past three weeks, with a surge in robberies, burglaries and street muggings leaving residents gripped by fear. At least seven major criminal incidents have been reported within a span of 20 days, yet police have so far failed to arrest anyone connected to the crimes, deepening public anxiety.
Despite repeated law enforcement drives and emergency coordination meetings, locals allege that the situation remains unchanged. Armed gangs have reportedly been targeting homes, roads and even areas close to the police station, raising serious concerns over security lapses.
Pattern of recent incidents
| Date | Location | Type of incident | Reported losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 April | Near police station area | Armed robbery at residence | 7 bhori gold, Tk 270,000 cash |
| 20 April | Anandnagar village | Livestock theft | 6 dairy cows, 1 bull (approx. Tk 1,000,000) |
| 2 May (03:00 hrs) | Govt quarters, upazila complex | House robbery | Cash and gold ornaments (family restrained at gunpoint) |
| 6 May (04:00 hrs) | College road area | Street mugging | Mobile phones and cash from 5 victims |
| 7 May | Jogendronagar, Bayaghata Union | Organised robbery | Cash, 2 bhori gold, crops, furniture (approx. Tk 1.5 million) |
The most alarming incident occurred in the early hours of 2 May, when unidentified assailants broke into the residence of Sirajul Islam, deputy administrative officer at the upazila executive office. The intruders reportedly tied him up and held a weapon to his wife’s throat before looting cash and gold ornaments.
Earlier, on 15 April, a similar armed robbery took place at the house of Sonuallah near the police station, where criminals escaped with approximately seven bhori of gold and Tk 270,000 in cash. On 20 April, livestock thieves struck Anandnagar village, stealing six milch cows and a bull valued at around Tk 10 lakh.
Street-level crime has also intensified. On 6 May, at least five individuals, including an imam and local traders, were robbed at knifepoint on a road near Bilchalan Shahid Samsuzzoha College in Gurudaspur municipal area.
Residents further allege that thefts have also occurred at several religious institutions and the upazila health complex, though details remain limited.
Locals, including traders Akhtar Hossain, Abdul Razzaq and Rahmat Ali, claim that the growing influence of narcotics is fuelling the rise in organised crime. They argue that despite frequent police patrols, offenders continue to operate with apparent impunity, particularly in areas close to the police station.
Gurudaspur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monjurul Alam stated that regular operations are ongoing and intensified searches are being conducted across the upazila. Meanwhile, Upazila Executive Officer Fahmida Afroze confirmed that mobile courts recently sentenced six drug users and dealers to jail and fines as part of anti-narcotics drives.
However, with organised robbery networks still at large, fear among residents and business owners continues to grow, with many now hesitant to carry cash or travel at night.