Play store
A group of armed robbers held passengers at gunpoint and looted valuables from 50–60 vehicles on a road in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, leaving more than 100 people affected.
The robbery took place in two phases at Himchhari Dhala on the Eidgaon–Eidgar–Baishari road, which passes through hilly areas of Eidgaon and Ramu upazilas.
Most of the targeted vehicles were CNG-run autorickshaws and motorcycles.
According to victims, a group of 10–12 masked and armed men stopped vehicles on the road, held passengers hostage and took them into nearby forests, where they assaulted them before stealing cash, mobile phones and other valuables.
The robberies reportedly continued for around two to two-and-a-half hours, with incidents reported at about 8am and noon.
Mohammad Robiul Islam, manager of a non-governmental organisation’s Eidgar branch, said he was travelling by motorcycle from Eidgaon Bazar to Eidgar with another person around noon.
They were carrying Tk 120,000 when the robbers stopped them at Himchhari Dhala.
The attackers took them into a nearby forest, assaulted them and stole the cash, two mobile phones and documents before releasing them.
Abdul Hakim, an accountant at another NGO’s Eidgar branch, said armed robbers also intercepted the autorickshaw carrying him and two others.
They allegedly took the group into the forest, assaulted them and stole Tk 150,000 and a bank cheque book.
Another victim, Mohammad Tarek, said his mobile phone was stolen when robbers intercepted an autorickshaw carrying five passengers early in the morning.
He escaped by jumping from the moving vehicle.
Eidgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge ATM Sifat-ul Mazdar confirmed the incident, saying local criminals had blocked the road, carried out the robberies and fled into the forest.
Police launched operations to track down those responsible and increased patrols in the forested sections of the 17-kilometre road.
However, no arrests had been made by Monday evening, according to the report.
Local residents expressed concern over repeated robberies and alleged kidnappings for ransom along the route, calling for stronger security measures to protect commuters.
