REHENNUMA TARANNUM:

Most of the unprotected flyovers in the capital have now turned into safe dens of criminals including snatchers, robbers, trap setters and drug peddlers particularly late at night causing panic to the commuters and bikers.

Though, the law enforcers claimed that they have increased surveillance on the flyovers to prevent untoward incidents, snatching and robbery have now become common on different flyovers due to lack of adequate lamps at the lampposts.

A ghostly atmosphere prevails on most of the flyovers at night, as a bulk portion of the bulbs on the lampposts is out of order for want of proper maintenance by the authorities concerned.

Taking advantage, a section of criminals is committing various crimes on the flyovers. Sometimes, bikers and their passengers are becoming injured victims falling into their traps.

Experts said, if patrolling is not increased by the police and burnt bulbs at all lampposts on the flyovers are not replaced, criminal activities will be difficult to contain.

Proper police patrolling and strong security measures are needed here to protect unsuspecting people.

According to sources, a section of criminals locally called ‘yarn gangs’ ties up nylon-made ropes on the driveways of flyovers to trap bikers. It is nearly impossible to see the ropes for speeding bikers or others. Many bikers hit the ropes and fall from their bikes, which are taken away and the gang members.

Sometimes the yarn traps cause fatal accidents. Criminals swiftly reach the spot and snatch away cash and valuables of the victims. Sometimes, the criminals even kill the riders for snatching valuable goods.

Police said, few spots of Hatirjheel, Magbazar, Khilgaon, Mayor Hanif and Kuril flyovers have now turned into dangerous spots due to activities of the Yarn Party. Bikers and their riders are injured seriously, when their hands, necks or faces hit the strong nylon ropes tied to two sides of the driveways of flyovers.

Md Milon Mian, 36, an app-based ride-sharing driver was seriously injured and his bike, mobile phone, wristwatch and other belongings were snatched away by criminals from

Shahjahanpur-Moghbazar-Malibagh flyover on August 27 at around 2:00 am. Police rescued him in a critical condition and took him to a hospital.

But, he succumbed to his injuries at around 5:00 am, while undergoing treatment.

After the incident, Atiqur Rahman, Sub-Inspector of Shahjahanpur Police Station said, the snatcher in the guise of a passenger shared ride in his bike. At one stage, he hit on the neck of Milon with a sharp knife, while they reached near the Padma Diagnostic Center in Malibagh. Later, he snatched away the motorcycle and valuable goods.

A motorcyclist named Abdur Rahim fell into such a trap on the Khilgaon flyover on November 15, while he was crossing spot at night. He got stuck up with a nylon rope that inflicted deep cuts in hands and a part of his neck.

But, he managed to flee the scene and took first aid. “I did not file any case in this connection to avoid police harassment,” he said.

Not only snatchers, some drug peddlers are carrying on their business on and beneath the flyovers, as those turn into secluded places at night. Their clients come to flyovers with bikes, CNG-driven auto-rickshaws or private cars. Yaba, Phensidyl and heroin are sold at random at different sections of those flyovers.

Walid Hossain, Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Media and Public Relations wing said, we have come to know about such criminal activities on different isolated flyovers. Due to lack of proper lighting, most of the flyovers turn ghostly at night. Taking the advantage, snatchers are getting reckless.

Sohel Rana, AIG (media) of Police headquarters said, “We have asked the concerned police officers to increase patrolling on the flyovers to prevent such incidents. Besides, we have requested the concerned authorities to replace the burnt bulbs of lampposts to ensure adequate visibility at night.