Theft of electrical transformers has surged in Feni, with 100 transformers stolen across five upazilas and municipal areas in the first seven months of this year alone.
The figure has already surpassed the total number of transformer thefts recorded in the district throughout 2025, disrupting electricity supplies and leaving customers to bear part of the cost of replacement.
According to Feni Palli Bidyut Samity, 58 transformers were stolen in Feni Sadar upazila, 36 in Chhagalnaiya, three in Parshuram, two in Sonagazi and one in Daganbhuiyan between January and July.
Feni Sadar and Chhagalnaiya recorded the highest number of thefts. The situation in Chhagalnaiya, a border upazila, has caused particular concern among residents.
Officials and locals believe the thieves are targeting the valuable copper coils and wires inside the transformers. Taking advantage of darkness and the isolation of many transformer sites, thieves remove the equipment at night and later strip it for copper, leaving the remaining parts behind.
Many transformers are installed on electric poles in fields or beside roads, where there is little movement of people at night, locals said. Following a theft, residents in the affected area often remain without electricity until a replacement is installed.
According to the electricity office, a 5 kVA transformer costs around Tk53,000, while 10 kVA, 15 kVA and 25 kVA transformers cost approximately Tk83,000, Tk100,000 and Tk159,000, respectively.
Under existing rules, customers must pay 50% of the cost of a replacement transformer if one is stolen for the first time. If the same transformer is stolen again, customers must bear the full replacement cost.
This has created additional financial pressure on residents, particularly in areas where repeated thefts occur.
Abdul Awal, AGM (Administration) of Feni Palli Bidyut Samity, said complaints had been filed with the relevant police stations following each theft.
“Customers are also being encouraged to remain vigilant. We are conducting loudspeaker campaigns in different areas, urging people to keep watch over transformers and electrical equipment,” he said.
He said local surveillance had been strengthened and customers had been asked to report suspicious individuals to the electricity office and law enforcement agencies.
Feni Police Superintendent Pratyush Kumar Majumder said several cases had been filed at different police stations over transformer thefts.
“Several people have already been arrested, and stolen wires have also been recovered. Efforts are underway to identify everyone involved and bring them to justice,” he said.
Officials said the thefts not only cause financial losses but also disrupt electricity supplies to entire communities. The resulting suffering is particularly severe during periods of extreme heat, they said, stressing the need for stronger security at transformer sites and tougher action against the theft rings.
