H M Sagar, Savar

Following a series of armed daylight robberies on moving buses in the Police Town and Bank Town areas of the Dhaka-Aricha highway—where passengers were held at gunpoint and robbed of cash, mobile phones, and jewelry—police authorities have taken action. In response to high-level directives, police checkpoints have been set up at various points along the highway.

On Sunday morning, April 13, a police checkpoint was established in the Police Town area. However, due to failure in properly conducting vehicle inspections as instructed, two Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) of Savar Model Police Station were withdrawn for negligence of duty. The officers are ASI Md. Sarowar Hossain and ASI Abdus Sattar. They have been removed from Savar Model Police Station and reassigned to the police lines.

Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Jewel Mia stated that the checkpoint was part of regular police efforts to combat crime on the highway. Officers were instructed to inspect all vehicles, including passenger buses, thoroughly. However, senior police officials found evidence of negligence during their visit to the checkpoint. The matter was reported to Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Md. Anisuzzaman, who ordered the withdrawal of the two officers. Further action will be taken following an investigation.

“We are conducting regular searches at various checkpoints to ensure the safety of passengers on the highway, and these operations are ongoing,” said OC Jewel.

It is mentioned that on Friday around 12 PM, as a Savar Paribahan passenger bus ascended the Bank Town Bridge on the Dhaka-Aricha highway, a group of robbers on board held the driver at gunpoint and forced the bus to stop. Several other armed robbers then held the passengers hostage and looted their cash, mobile phones, and gold ornaments.