Lakshmipur grapples with rising sexual violence, theft

Crime patterns in Lakshmipur’s Ramgati and Kamalnagar upazilas have taken different turns in recent years, with repeated allegations of rape and sexual violence reported in Ramgati and a rise in theft and robbery causing concern in Kamalnagar.
Police and local sources said 10 rape, four attempted rape and eight child rape cases have been reported in Ramgati over the past two years. Some incidents have drawn widespread attention on social media and in the media, while others were reportedly settled locally.

Rape cases
On July 15 this year, police arrested Md Tarek Hasan, 21, over an allegation of raping a young woman in Char Poragachha Union. The same day, Md Faruk, 31, was accused of abducting a young woman and raping her in a boat near the Meghna River in Char Lakshmi village of Chargazi Union.
On 28 June, a rape case was filed in court against a madrasa student over an allegation involving a housewife in Boyarchar area of Chargazi Union. On 13 February, a housewife was allegedly raped at her home in Char Ramiz Union. RAB later arrested the accused, Milan Majhi, 42. In another case, a 16-year-old girl allegedly died by suicide after facing social stigma following a village arbitration over a rape allegation against Md Rakib Hossain in Charkalakopa village of Charbadam Union. Police later arrested Rakib from Cumilla.
On 11 June, a teenage girl was allegedly gang-raped by four people in Dakshin Tumchar village of Chargazi Union. Police arrested the alleged main accused, Raju, 18. Police also arrested three men on 27 October 2024, over an allegation of gang-raping a young woman in Gandhatala area of Char Poragachha Union.

Attempted rape
Several attempted rape cases have also been reported in Ramgati.
On 22 April, police arrested Jihadur Rahman, a muezzin, over an allegation of attempting to rape a seven-year-old child at a mosque in Char Afzal village of Char Ramiz Union. On 20 April, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly subjected to an attempted rape by her uncle in Ward 7 of Alexander Municipality. The child's mother later filed a case.
On 26 July, grocery shop owner Haque Saheb, 50, was accused of attempting to rape a 16-year-old student in Raghunathpur village of Barakheri union. Police also arrested Md Bahar on 24 April 2024, over an allegation of attempting to rape a fourth-grade student at a chicken farm in Char Niyamat village of Char Algi union.

Child rape
On 1 June this year, an 11-year-old girl was allegedly raped while visiting her maternal grandmother’s home in Charbadam Union. Police arrested the accused, Mamun, following the incident. On 17 May, a complaint was filed against Belal Hossain over an allegation of raping a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Ward 8 of Ramgati Municipality after allegedly luring her with nuts. RAB arrested Ismail Hossain, 35, on 30 September over an allegation of raping a child in Char Hasan Hossain village of Char Algi union. In another case, police arrested postmaster Didar Uddin, 35, on 8 September over an allegation of raping a seven-year-old child in the Nuriya Hazirhat area of Char Algi union.

Theft, robbery in Kamalnagar
Meanwhile, thefts from homes, shops and business establishments have increased in different parts of Kamalnagar, creating fear among residents and traders. Locals said thieves are targeting houses and businesses at night, stealing cash, gold ornaments, livestock and other valuables.
On 11 April, a group of thieves allegedly raided a house near Fazumiarhat Bazar in Ward 3 of Charkadira union. A day earlier, thieves broke into two shops at Charles Lawrence Bazar in a single night. Earlier, thieves had reportedly broken into the house of Wali Uddin Masud, a medical officer at the upazila health complex.
On 30 April, gold ornaments and cash worth around Tk6 lakh were allegedly stolen from the house of expatriate Mohin Uddin in the Government Pond area of Hazirhat union. On 7 May, thieves allegedly broke into the house of Sharaf Uddin Babul Mia, president of Karunanagar Bazar, and stole cash and gold ornaments.
On 18 July, thieves allegedly broke into a Grameenphone division office at Faiz Mansion near Hazirhat Bazar and stole Tk7.53 lakh in cash and other valuables. On 12 July, Tk2 lakh in cash and gold ornaments were allegedly stolen from the house of Haji Shah Alam Patwari in Ward 1 of Torabganj union. Mizanur Rahman, panel chairman of Barakheri Union Parishad, said village police regularly conduct patrols and that the increase in theft and robbery had been raised repeatedly at law-and-order meetings. “The police should remain more vigilant to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property,” he said.
Kamalnagar Police Station OC Md Faridul Alam said several suspects in theft cases had been arrested and that the law-and-order situation was under control. “Night patrols have also been strengthened,” he said.
Ramgati Police Station OC Liton Dewan said some of the complaints had been filed before he joined the station. “We have seriously investigated every reported incident and brought the perpetrators to justice. Accused persons have been arrested in rape and attempted rape cases,” he said. He added that regular drives were being conducted and police patrols had been strengthened.