A number of organized criminal gangs have been formed in Rajshahi city over the past 15 years due to the influence of local leaders and corruption. There is also a teen gang culture in the city.
On the other hand, the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in most of the city areas are out of work.
The crime rate is on the rise. Incidents of murder, terrorist attacks, extortion, drug peddling, and robbery are reported every day.
In most cases, these criminals are using motorcycles. They are also harassing school and college students.
This has spread fear among the residents of Sampriti Nagar as well.
The cybercrime unit of the police has created a database of more than 600 teen gang members in the city.
However, due to the patronage of political leaders and lack of surveillance, this initiative did not see success.
Following the change in the government, these criminals have become more active, and they are turning Rajshahi into a dangerous city, especially in the early morning and late night.
People complain that these teen gangs roam around in motorcycles in groups, terrorizing people. They also organize street racing. Many of them carry weapons and rob pedestrians.
Shahnaz Parveen is a resident of the Koerdanda area of Rajshahi City.
She said: “I was going towards Lakshmipur and was carrying Tk20,000 for my mother's surgery on October 1. On the way, three robbers on bikes grabbed my bag in the Burnali area. They took the bag. There were also valuable documents in the bag.
However, she did not file any complaint at the police station out of fear.
One Maliha Antara Raeda shared her experience through a Facebook post.
"I have never experienced anything like this in my life before. At around 9:30pm, three people on a bike approached me and pulled my bag from the side before crossing the Bandgate and the city bypass. I held the bag very titightly,ut the strap of the bag saved me as it was strong.”
Meanwhile, Motihar police station of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has arrested three robbers in connection with the stealing of an autorickshaw.
All the arrestees are between the age groups of 24 and 26. The autorickshaw driver was killed during the robbery.
Ashraful Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Rajpara police station, said: “Our patrol team is working day and night. It's been almost a month since I joined the station. I don't remember any incident of robbery during this period.”
Abdul Malek, OC of Motihar police station, said they have arrested 6 people in connection with two robberies. An autorickshaw was also recovered during the raids.