Launch passengers robbed on Meghna river

A gang of armed robbers boarded a moving launch from speedboats on the Meghna River on Thursday night, and looted cash and other valuables from passengers.

The incident took place when MV Maqbool-2, which departed from Narayanganj launch terminal at 9pm, reached near Shatnal Ghat on the river around 10:45pm.

About 20 robbers took the launch driver (captain of the boat) hostage at gunpoint and looted cash, gold ornaments and other valuables from more than 200 passengers.

Confirming the matter, Mohammad Hossain Sarkar, in-charge of Mohanpur Naval police outpost in Chandpur Matlab North, said their investigation is underway.

“We are trying to arrest those involved,” he added.

“They threatened the passengers with firearms and other weapons, snatched millions in cash, gold jewellery, and mobile phones and left,” said the victims.

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Several passengers said that when the launch reached the Gazaria ghat, a man boarded the launch from a speedboat. Later, when the launch reached near Shatlan, the gang boarded the launch using two speedboats and started firing blank shots.

After pillaging the launch for more than 30 minutes, the robbers disembarked and sped away by speedboats shortly before arriving at Shatnal, the passengers added.

Sabuj, a launch staff, said that there were many passengers on the ground floor, cabin, and even on the roof of the launch as job holders travel more on the launch on Thursday nights