A gang of miscreants tied up a night guard and looted five jewellery shops in an overnight robbery in Bhangura Upazila of Pabna on early Thursday.
The attackers took gold, silver and cash, causing losses that victims estimate to be worth several crore taka.
The robbery took place at five jewellery shops in the Ashtamonisha Bazar area.
According to the affected traders, Aakhi Jewellers, Ma Jewellers, Madhu Jewellers, Uttam Jewellers and Matri Jewellers were all locked for the night after business hours.
At around 2am, a group of 12–15 robbers arrived by speedboat via the Gumani River, entered the market and overpowered three night guards. The robbers seized their mobile phones, tied their hands and feet, and proceeded to break the locks of the five shops one by one, taking gold ornaments, silver and cash.
The traders said the robbers looted 20 bhori of gold, 180 bhori of silver and Tk20,000 from Aakhi Jewellers, 11 bhori of gold, 300 bhori of silver and Tk40,000 from Ma Jewellers, 5 bhori of gold, Tk3 lakh and 200 bhori of silver from Madhu Jewellers; 12 bhori of gold, Tk15 lakh and 100 bhori of silver from Uttam Jewellers and 2.5 bhori of gold, 25 bhori of silver and Tk1.5 lakh from Matri Jewellers.
Ratan Karmakar, one of the affected traders, said the robbers had gone to his house around 2am and banged loudly on the gate. When he asked who they were, they claimed to be from the administration. He refused to open the gate, which may have prevented further damage.
Aakhi Jewellers owner Attab Ali said he rushed to his shop after receiving calls from locals and found everything looted. “I have lost everything,” he said.
Ma Jewellers owner Yusuf Ali, who had taken loans to run his business, said he too had been left destitute.
Bhangura Police Station officer-in-charge Shafiqul Islam said police visited the market on early morning and inspected the crime scene.
He added that detectives would carry out further investigation. By Thursday afternoon, no formal complaint had been filed.
Chatmohar Circle Assistant Superintendent of Police Abu Baker Siddique, who also inspected the site, said multiple teams were working on the case and legal action would be taken.
