A terrifying trend of jewelry theft targeting minor children has emerged in Chandina, Cumilla, orchestrated by a formidable female snatcher. The perpetrator lures children away from populated areas by promising toys or showing videos on a mobile phone, later robbing them of their ornaments in secluded spots. Although four such incidents have occurred within the Chandina Municipality and Etbarpur Union over the past month, the accused woman remains at large. Based on CCTV footage and descriptions from the victimized children, a woman aged between 20 and 25, wearing a burqa, is operating alone in these missions. The incidents have gone viral on social media, causing widespread anxiety among local parents.
The most recent incident took place last Friday, March 27, around 10:00 AM in the Tulatoli North Para area of Ward No. 9 under the municipality, where three children fell victim. Shariful Islam, father of victim Samia Islam, stated that the woman bought toys for the children from a shop near their house and enticed them into an auto-rickshaw by showing videos on a mobile phone. She took them nearly 1.5 kilometers away to a deserted spot on the Chhaykot Horerpar road, where she snatched gold earrings from child Samia and a silver chain from child Saima Islam. Just the day before, on Thursday, March 26, a child from Baniachong village in Etbarpur Union was lured away in the same manner and robbed of her earrings in front of the Etbarpur Union Parishad.
A similar incident occurred on March 18 in Harong village. Local resident Khokan Mia reported that the burqa-clad woman entered his house under the pretext of recharging her mobile phone after leaving a packet of chips at his shop. She then coaxed his two granddaughters away, eventually fleeing after taking the gold earrings from the elder granddaughter about half a kilometer away from the house. Additionally, on February 13, the 10-year-old daughter of army personnel Kamal Hossain from Etbarpur village was victimized in the same fashion. CCTV footage confirms that the same woman is involved in every case.
While parents in Chandina Municipality and surrounding areas are panicked over their children's safety, the police claim to be unaware of the situation. Atiqur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandina Police Station, stated that no one has lodged a written or verbal complaint regarding such incidents so far. However, he assured that the matter would be investigated with due importance and necessary legal action would be taken promptly. Local conscious citizens believe that unless this "serial" snatcher is brought to justice immediately, the safety of children will face even greater risks.
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মঙ্গলবার, ৩১ মার্চ ২০২৬
Published : ৩০ মার্চ ২০২৬
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