Photo: Collected
Abdul Baten, aged 60, was traveling from Daudkandi in Cumilla to Dhaka by a CNG autorickshaw. Along the journey, he found himself sharing the ride with Jamila, a middle-aged woman who boarded from Banchharampur in Brahmanbaria. Their chance encounter allowed them to strike up a conversation, and they soon found themselves engrossed in discussion.
As they arrived in Dhaka, Jamila inquired about Baten's return plans. Baten mentioned he intended to head back the same afternoon. Surprisingly, Jamila expressed her intention to return as well. Later in the evening, fate brought them together again in the Sayedabad area. Their reunion sparked a deep connection between them, fostering feelings of affection.
Jamila, sensing Baten's vulnerability, subtly initiated romantic advances, which Baten, in his twilight years, failed to discern. Lost in the moment, Baten failed to realise the passing of time until it was already 10 o'clock in the evening. Recognising his fatigue and the late hour, Jamila extended an invitation for him to stay the night.
Initially hesitant, Abdul Baten eventually acquiesced to Jamila's proposal, despite his reservations.
Later, Jamila led Baten to a house in the signboard area, where their encounter took a dark turn. As soon as they entered, Jamila's demeanor shifted, and the atmosphere became tense for Baten. Sensing danger, Baten realised the gravity of the situation.
Jamila quickly took control of the situation by seizing Baten's mobile phone and extracting contact information for his family. Locking him in a room, she proceeded to make a chilling call to Baten's son, Russell. In a trembling voice, she conveyed the threat of Baten's life being at stake if their demands weren't met, demanding a ransom of 5 lakh taka.
Upon receiving the distressing call, Russell, residing in Rampura, immediately took action. He filed a General Diary (GD) report at the local police station, alerting the authorities to his father's kidnapping. Additionally, the incident was reported to the Metropolitan Police, intensifying efforts to locate and rescue Abdul Baten. The news sent shockwaves through Baten's family, plunging them into a state of anxiety and fear amidst the harrowing ordeal.
Following the filing of the General Diary, the Metropolitan Detective Police, in collaboration with the local Thana Police, launched a thorough investigation into the matter. Their joint efforts bore fruit two days later when the detective police apprehended Jamila and her accomplice, Sheuli, from Fatulla in Narayanganj.
During the interrogation, Jamila and Sheuli provided crucial information leading to the rescue of Abdul Baten from the house in the signboard area. Their arrest marked a significant breakthrough in the case.
In a separate incident, a student from Wills Little Flower School in the capital fell victim to a kidnapping orchestrated by a notorious gang. Following the abduction, the gang demanded a hefty ransom of Tk10 lakh for the safe release of the student. Prompt action was taken by the victim's family, who lodged a formal complaint with the police station.
Upon receiving the complaint, detectives swiftly initiated an investigation, leading to a coordinated raid that resulted in the apprehension of four members of the gang. The arrested individuals were identified as Zubair Hossain alias Jihad, Munna, Ashikuzzaman Sifat, and Shahariar Saikat.
According to sources within the Metropolitan Intelligence Police, there has been a notable shift in the tactics employed by kidnapping gangs. Organised criminal groups are now targeting individuals of various ages, luring them into traps on the streets with the intention of extracting ransom. The detective police have been inundated with numerous complaints regarding such incidents, highlighting the growing menace of organised kidnapping in the area.
Detective Police Joint Commissioner Moshiur Rahman has emphasised the evolving nature of criminal activities, particularly in the realm of kidnapping. He highlighted the modus operandi of kidnappers, who employ deceitful tactics to gain the trust of unsuspecting individuals on the streets. This may involve using various tricks or even presenting themselves or accomplices as trustworthy figures, sometimes even involving women in their schemes.
Rahman stressed the importance of awareness and caution while navigating the streets. Drawing a parallel, he likened the risk of trusting strangers to the caution exercised when accepting food from unfamiliar individuals. Just as it's unwise to consume food offered by someone with whom there is little acquaintance, it's equally imprudent to accompany or trust individuals with whom there is minimal familiarity, especially in unfamiliar or questionable circumstances.
He further elaborated that numerous kidnapping cases have arisen due to individuals trusting strangers encountered on the road. Presently, there are several gangs resorting to this method to abduct unsuspecting civilians. In response to recent incidents involving Abdul Baten and the Wills Little Flower School students, heightened intelligence surveillance has been implemented in various crucial public areas across the capital.
Plainclothes police officers have been deployed to monitor the movements of people in these areas. In a recent incident at one of the entry points to the capital, Gabtali, a bank officer named Arifur Rahman boarded a private car intending to travel to Motijheel. Upon noticing two additional individuals, he was relieved.
However, he was subjected to torture and coercion from Asadgate. The car was forcefully redirected towards the Mirpur Beri Dam area, where Arifur Rahman was restrained from raising alarm or defending himself. Subsequently, the kidnappers contacted his family, demanding a ransom of Tk 2 lakh for his release, threatening dire consequences if the money wasn't paid promptly.
Following negotiations, Arifur Rahman was eventually released upon payment of Tk 1.5 lakh. He promptly reported the incident to law enforcement agencies, prompting swift action. Subsequently, the police managed to apprehend five members of the kidnapping gang.
Dhaka District Police Superintendent Asaduzzaman addressed reporters, highlighting the dangers associated with individuals boarding private cars parked on the roadside without exercising caution. He emphasised that such actions often lead to perilous situations. Notably, this gang has been involved in abductions across various locations including Dhaka district, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Gazipur, and Narayanganj, utilising private cars for their criminal activities. Subsequently, they demand substantial ransoms for the release of their victims.
Asaduzzaman stressed the importance of vigilance while navigating the streets, urging individuals to opt for public transportation whenever possible. Moreover, he emphasised the significance of promptly reporting any suspicious activities or encounters to law enforcement agencies.
Messenger/Disha
