Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjad Ali has raised concerns over the increasing incidents of snatching in the capital, particularly involving mobile phones. “According to the report I received, snatching has increased significantly. Most cases involve snatchers fleeing after grabbing mobile phones from bus passengers,” he said.
The commissioner urged foreign-returned students to exercise extra caution against such crimes. He made these remarks during a community dialogue held on Saturday afternoon at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, in Kakrail, attended by students, the public, and residents of the Ramna Model Thana area.
Commissioner Ali also pointed out that extortion is contributing to the rising prices of essential commodities, causing distress for ordinary citizens. “When prices of necessary goods rise due to extortion, it is the middle-class, lower-middle-class, and low-income groups who suffer the most. It is, therefore, crucial to build a social resistance against extortion,” he stated. He acknowledged the police’s significant responsibility in curbing this issue and called for collaborative efforts to combat it.
Emphasizing the need for collective action, he said, “It is not just the police; all organizations in society must come forward to tackle extortion. Building resistance against extortion has become extremely important.”
Addressing the issue of street hawkers, he noted that removing them entirely would be inhumane. “However, hawkers must act responsibly and remain orderly on the streets,” he added, stressing that no one should pay extortion money to hawkers or others.
The DMP chief also addressed traffic-related issues, criticizing drivers who incessantly honk their horns during traffic jams. “What is the solution to traffic congestion by constantly honking? Action will soon be taken against those who repeatedly honk in traffic,” he warned.
