A sharp deterioration in law and order in Bangladesh’s industrial hub of Narayanganj has sparked widespread concern following a series of armed robberies, violent assaults and the reported snatching of police-issued firearms over the past month.
Between 26 March and 26 April, at least 18 separate robbery incidents were recorded across five upazilas of the district. The worst-affected areas include Araihazar, Sonargaon, Rupganj and Fatulla, where organised criminal groups have reportedly intensified their activities.
In Araihazar alone, more than ten households were targeted by masked armed gangs. In one particularly alarming incident on 8 April, three homes in the Bishnandi Union were simultaneously attacked, leaving residents traumatised and local communities on edge.
Criminal activity has also expanded to major highways. In the early hours of 21 April, a woman returning from abroad was robbed on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway in the Saoghat area, where offenders impersonating members of law enforcement stopped her vehicle. Jewellery weighing six bhori along with foreign currency was taken, and the victim sustained injuries during the incident.
Elsewhere, a businessman’s residence in Fatulla was reportedly looted of valuables worth millions of taka, while in Sonargaon, armed assailants carried out a cinematic-style robbery at a cash distribution centre, escaping with approximately seven lakh taka.
Summary of Key Incidents (26 March–26 April)
| Period / Date | Area | Nature of Incident | Reported Loss / Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Mar–26 Apr | Araihazar | Multiple home robberies | Over 10 houses targeted |
| 8 April | Bishnandi | Coordinated armed robbery | Three houses looted simultaneously |
| 21 April | Dhaka–Sylhet Highway (Saoghat) | Highway robbery | Gold ornaments (6 bhori), foreign currency; victim injured |
| April | Fatulla | Residential burglary | Goods worth millions of taka stolen |
| April | Sonargaon | Cash centre robbery | Approx. 700,000 taka stolen |
| Mar–Apr | Various areas | Total incidents | 18 robberies recorded |
Despite the surge in incidents, many victims are reportedly reluctant to file formal complaints, citing fear of harassment and a lack of confidence in recovering stolen property. A retired headteacher noted that previous experiences with the legal process had discouraged him from pursuing a fresh case.
Local civic representatives argue that this reluctance reflects a growing crisis of trust between the public and law enforcement institutions. They warn that when citizens perceive reporting crime as futile or burdensome, it further weakens overall security efforts.
Meanwhile, district police authorities have stated that 17 individuals have been arrested in connection with robbery cases over the past month. Several additional suspects were detained during preventive operations conducted while they were allegedly preparing for criminal activity.
Concerns have also emerged over security lapses within police jurisdiction itself. In Siddhirganj, at least five motorcycle thefts have been reported over the past two years, including incidents occurring within police premises.
The most serious escalation involves attacks on law enforcement personnel. On 30 April, police officers came under assault during an investigation in Bandar, where a service firearm was reportedly seized by attackers. A similar incident occurred in March within the city area, when another police weapon was stolen.
Security analysts attribute the rising trend of crime to a combination of drug abuse, unemployment, social deterioration and increasing juvenile delinquency. They stress that coordinated and urgent intervention is essential to stabilise the situation and restore public confidence in law enforcement.