A passenger boat en route to attend the Biswa Ijtema was targeted by a robbery on the Rowmari-Chilmari waterway of the Brahmaputra River in Kurigram early Saturday.
The robbery took place near 200 Bigha Char in Austomirchar union under Chilmari upazila.
A group of 16-17 robbers, riding two dinghies, intercepted the boat, held passengers at gunpoint, and looted cash and valuables, according to passengers and the boatman.
The boat, carrying 18 passengers including a woman, departed from Rowmari's Phuluar Char around 8:40am. On reaching 200 Bigha Char, the robbers — some armed with pistols and others with sharp weapons — launched their attack.
They reportedly seized mobile phones and cash from the passengers and threw the phones into the river.
The attackers also damaged one of the boat’s engines by removing its handle and discarding it into the river.
Onion trader Maijuddi, one of the victims, said: "The robbers assaulted some passengers, searched their bags, and looted cash. I lost Tk1.8 lakh that I had brought to buy onions after attending Ijtema.”
Boatman Sabur Mia added: “The robbers took cash, diesel, and the engine handles from the boat before fleeing. The thick fog on the river made it difficult for us to seek help.”
The victims refrained from filing a complaint, citing past experiences of harassment following similar incidents in 2000 when police action yielded no results.
Dhushmara police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mushahed Khan confirmed the incident, adding: “We visited the spot and spoke to locals, but no one could provide details. The use of firearms is unusual for this area, and the matter is being thoroughly investigated. Higher authorities have been informed.”
Assistant Sub-Inspector Ershad Alam of the Rowmari Naval Police Outpost added: “We have confirmed the robbery, but the victims have not filed any complaints. Further actions will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.”
