Cox's Bazar sees a spate of robberies

Cox's Bazar town has witnessed a surge in robbery incidents recently putting security of lives and belongings of the commuters as well as tourists in jeopardy.

Almost every day, people are falling prey to robberies somewhere or other in the tourist town, be it night or daytime.

The alarming rise in incidents of robberies has spread panic among tourists and locals, making it a pressing challenge for the district administration to address the menace as early as possible.

The authorities have identified at least 30 spots as hotspots of robberies in the town.

Robbers take away valuable items including mobile phone sets, cash and gold ornaments from local people and tourists at gunpoint.

In addition, there also occur incidents of people getting killed and injured in the hands of robbers for refusal to give away their belongings. Experts attributed the uptrend in robbery incidents to a serious deterioration of the law and order situation in the town due to negligence and indifference of the law enforcement agencies.

Besides, inadequate lighting and CCTV arrangements in the most frequented roads and spots have also been identified as one of the key reasons for the rise in robbery incidents.

According to Sadar Police Station, police have arrested at least 116 alleged robbers from different parts of the town in the past three months. Of them, cases were filed against 32 arrestees.

Official sources said Sugandha, Kalatali and Laboni points on the Cox's Bazar sea beach are very much prone to robbery incidents. Robbery gang members prowl through the areas including bus terminal, Larpara, Link Road, BGB camp, Kabita Chattar, Laldighipar, Khurushkul road, Goldigipar and Bazarghata.

On January 16th morning, two robbers riding a motorcycle snatched away a gold chain from the neck of a nurse named Amita Nath in Goldigipar.

The victim said a young man suddenly pulled the chain off her neck and took it away. This incident in an open, crowded area in broad daylight created panic among townspeople.

Saiful Islam, a resident of Link Road area, said, a few days ago, two young men snatched his two mobile phone sets and cash waylaying him by brandishing weapons and knives when he was returning home in a CNG-run three-wheeler.

Another victim, Tohfa, said, "I was returning home in a CNG-run vehicle after work.

When I got out and was talking on mobile phone, two young men riding a motorcycle pulled my mobile phone from behind. I could not answer it because my mobile phone was in a tight position in my hand."

Tourist Samir Mallick, who came from Dhaka, said, "It is very worrying that robberies are happening regularly in an important tourist town like Cox's Bazar. On February 18, some young men snatched mobile phone sets from two tourists in front of me. When passersby came forward during the incident, the robbers quickly fled."

Local sources said 20 to 25 robbery incidents on an average are happening every day in different spots of the town.

Many of the victims even do not file a general diary (GD) with the police station.

In addition to robberies, serious crimes such as murder and kidnap have increased in Cox's Bazar.

There have been allegations of the administration's inaction and protecting criminals due to political link.

Those concerned fear that this situation may also have an adverse impact on the tourism sector.

Police said since August 5 political changeover, miscreants have broken the CCTV cameras installed in different spots of the town.

Advocate Raihatul Gir Kasba said in this regard, a robber is released on bail within a few days after arrest. After coming out of jail, he commits more incidents of robbery.

It is important to amend the existing laws to prevent robbery and ensure strict punishment, he added. The law of 1860, which was enacted during the British era, is not very much effective in 2025.

Cox's Bazar Civil Society President Abu Morshed Chowdhury said that there has been an alarming increase in robberies in the past 6-7 months.

Among the key reasons for the robbers going berserk are worsening of the law and order situation, lack of adequate CCTV cameras and lighting in the important public places.

He further said Cox's Bazar is one of the most popular tourist spots of the world. Issues like robbery and kidnap can cause much harm to the tourism sector of Cox's Bazar.

Tourist Police Cox's Bazar Region Additional DIG Md Appel Mahmud said 14 robbers have been arrested from different points of the sea beach in the past 10 days.

Work is underway to repair the damaged CCTV cameras. And new cameras and lights are being installed in various places where there is none of these.

He believes that if these issues are resolved, it will be possible to prevent robberies effectively in the town.

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