<i>CMP action on auto-rickshaws cuts crimes</i>
A syndicate of criminals based on CNG-run auto-rickshaws created a reign of terror to such an extent few weeks ago that the commuters feared to travel on board the auto-rickshaws as it turned into a 'vehicle of panic' in the port city.
But some recent actions by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) against the syndicate have brought back some relief and increased sense of security among the city dwellers.
The Detective Branch (DB) of Police recently arrested six muggers, including four drivers, who were allegedly involved in three sensational murders by using CNG auto-rickshaws.
The CNG drivers made some startling and horrifying revelations about their 'operation' in confessional statements before the court and police. According to their depositions, police continued drives to arrest other members of the syndicate.
"We have almost traced out the entire gang of CNG-based criminals and are hopeful that the others will soon be caught," said Ashikul Haq Bhuiyan, senior assistant commissioner of DB.
Belal, Zakir, Shahid Raza and Shahabuddin, the drivers-cum muggers, in their statements revealed details of the murders of Advocate Deen Mohammad, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) official Priti Ranjan Chakma and expatriate businessman Mohammad Rafique.
Deen Mohammad was murdered on June 19, Priti Ranjan on July 19 and Rafique on August 14.
"We generally start our operation in the evening and use auto-rickshaws in which the victim passenger gets in and the other for cover of our accomplices and the entire operation takes only 10 to 15 minutes," Zakir and Belal told the police.
They said, "The driver who takes the lone passenger from a spot used to stop or slow down his vehicle on the pretext of deem light or technical problem after going few metres. Another auto-rickshaw along with three to four members of our gang follows it from behind and instantly get into the vehicle from both the sides and start our operation."
"We first overpower the passenger, strangle in case of any resistance, snatch all his cash and other belongings and dump him in a quiet roadside area," Belal and Zakir said. Advocate Deen, Priti Chakma and Rafique were killed in the similar method, they added.
They said they usually earn Tk 300 to Tk 10,000 from each operation. Zakir, who was involved in at least 100 incidents of mugging, said he got Tk 7,000, highest in his life, from the Priti Chakma case.
Police seized the two vehicles used in the muggings and murders of Priti Chakma and Rafique. They also recovered the mobile set of Priti Chakma from one Harun from Chandranagar area in the city under Bayezid Bostami Police Station. The muggers sold the set to Harun at only Tk 3,000, police said. Police also arrested Harun.
Journalist Zakir Hossain Lulu, brother of Rafique, thanked the police for detecting the criminals' syndicate and arresting the killers of his brother. He urged the police to fresh launch drives to catch all the members of the syndicate and increase patrol in important points in the city to that end.
He said police should proceed with the case in such a way that would ensure exemplary punishment to the criminals. Otherwise, their actions will go in vain, he added.
AC (DB) Ashikul said they have already enhanced their patrol in different city points to ward off recurrence of such incidents.
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