At least 30 activists had their mobile phones allegedly stolen during a road march of BNP in Brahmanbaria.
The incident occurred after party leaders and activists gathered on Thursday at the meeting place in front of Hotel Lal Shaluq at Bishwa Road junction, carrying various banners and posters.
The BNP's road march was scheduled to reach Bishwa Road in Brahmanbaria Sarail upazila by 9:30am on Thursday.
Around 12:30pm, the convoy of BNP central leaders arrived one by one, and during the welcoming activities, unidentified thieves took the opportunity to steal mobile phones from the pockets of several participants.
Jubo Dal leader Safayet Ullah reported that his mobile phone was stolen when central Jubo Dal President Sultan Salahuddin Tuku was passing through the road amidst a massive crowd.
Chhatra Dal leader Hossain Mahmud Shokhan suggested that a third party may have come to steal mobile phones, hinting at potential involvement from Awami League and Chhatra League activists, as the stolen phones contained valuable data.
Sejan Mahmud Tushar, former vice-president of the district Chhatra Dal, mentioned that the rush of people created an opportunity for theft, and he learned that at least 30 mobile phones were stolen.
Zahirul Haque Khokon, a former general secretary of the district BNP and a current member of the convening committee, could not be reached for comments.
Hafizur Rahman Molla Kochi, another member of the district BNP convening committee and former district branch president, suspected a theft syndicate's involvement in the phone thefts.
Mohammad Emranul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sarail police station, said that no written complaints had been filed regarding the stolen phones at that time.