Jahid Ikbal : A daring theft took place at an under-construction building in the Jamtala area of Nikunja-2 under Khilkhet Police Station in the capital late Friday night, where miscreants reportedly stole electrical equipment and construction materials worth nearly Tk 5 lakh. The incident has triggered renewed concerns among local residents amid allegations of increasing theft and drug-related activities in the area.

The victim, garment businessman Md. Emdadul Haque Sohel, is the owner of the under-construction multi-storey building located at Holding No. 119/5 in Jamtala. According to local sources, construction work on the building was ongoing and a large quantity of electrical wiring, pipelines and other construction materials had been stored on the fourth floor for installation.
Taking advantage of the lack of security at the site, unidentified miscreants allegedly entered the building at some point during the night and made away with electrical current wires worth approximately Tk 3 lakh along with other construction materials valued at nearly Tk 2 lakh.

The theft was discovered on Saturday morning when workers arrived at the site and found the stored materials missing. They immediately informed the building owner, after which the matter quickly spread among local residents, creating concern in the neighbourhood.

Upon receiving information, a team from Khilkhet Police Station visited the scene and initiated a preliminary investigation.

In connection with the incident, building owner Md. Emdadul Haque Sohel filed a written complaint with the police against unidentified individuals. Police officials confirmed that the complaint has been received and the matter is currently under investigation. As part of the inquiry, investigators are collecting information from surrounding areas, questioning local residents and examining possible evidence to identify those involved.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khilkhet Police Station, Mohammad Abdul Alim, said the incident is being investigated with due importance.

“We have inspected the scene and initiated an investigation. Efforts are underway to identify the individuals involved, and necessary legal action will be taken once the investigation progresses,” he said.

Meanwhile, local residents alleged that incidents of theft, snatching and drug-related crimes have been increasing in the Nikunja–Jamtala area in recent months. According to them, under-construction buildings, vacant houses and relatively isolated premises are increasingly being targeted by organised criminal groups operating at night.

Residents also claimed that a detailed list identifying active drug dealers and several suspected hotspots in the Nikunja and Jamtala areas had previously been compiled and submitted to the relevant authorities. The issue had also been highlighted in several national media outlets. However, locals allege that despite the matter being publicly reported, no visible or sustained enforcement action has been taken.

According to residents, suspected drug users and criminals are frequently seen gathering in certain isolated locations around Jamtala at night, raising security concerns among people living in the area.

Locals believe that strengthening regular police patrols, conducting special drives against drug traffickers and increasing surveillance on suspected criminal groups could help improve the law and order situation.

They also urged the authorities to ensure a swift investigation into the latest theft and bring the perpetrators to justice, stating that prompt action would not only resolve the present case but also play an important role in curbing the growing trend of crime in the Nikunja–Jamtala locality.