Villagers demand arrest of criminals, drug peddlers

Hundreds of people from different villages under Jhilim union in Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj demonstrated in front of the deputy commissioner's officie yesterday, demanding action against gangs of criminals and drug peddlers. PHOTO: STAR

People of different villages in Sadar upazila staged a sit-in in front of deputy commissioner's office in the town yesterday, demanding immediate arrest and punishment of a few criminals, and drug peddlers.
They also submitted a memorandum to the local lawmaker Abdul Odud in this regard.
The villagers of Jhilim union at the programme said criminals of Bhutpukur, Ushkathi Para and Alinagar areas regularly visited Babudaing and adjacent villages and committed different crimes including mugging and stalking.
Despite repeated pleas, the law enforcing agencies are yet to take any initiative to arrest the criminals, they alleged.
They also urged the local administration to take immediate steps against drug peddlers who are leading a section of youths to astray and instigating them to commit serious crimes.
Earlier, the villagers brought out a procession to realise the demand.
Following two cases filed by the villagers, police arrested a few gangsters, said Enayet Hossain, officer in-charge at Sadar police station.
We are raiding different areas to arrest the rest of the criminals, said the OC.
Away in Gaibandha, local traders of Sundarganj upazila brought out a procession yesterday, demanding an end to the ongoing violence and anarchy in the area.
They also demanded a ban on politics of Jamaat-Shibir, reports our correspondent.
Lathi and Bashi Committee, a trader's forum in the upazila, organised the programme.
In order to ensure a peaceful business without fear, the leaders of the committee vowed to resist the ongoing violence and anarchy in the society.
To meet the demand, the shop owners kept their shutters down for one hour as 'token' agitation.
During a recent violence, a number of shops and houses were vandalised, said the organisers.