Tangail Correspondent:

Tangail Detective Branch of police has arrested two people in a case filed over the robbery and molestation incident on a moving Rajshahi-bound bus in the district.

The arrestees are Md Alamgir Hossian, 34, and his younger brother Rajib Hossain, 21, hailing from Palashbari area of Dhaka’s Ashulia. With this, a total of five people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Besides, police have recovered looted money, phones, jewellery, national identity cards, ATM cards and knives used in the robbery from their possession.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday (February 25), Tangail Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Mizanur Rahman said Alamgir, a local dacoit leader, was arrested from Sadhupara village of Netrakona’s Purbadhala on Monday.

“Based on the information provided by him, Rajib was arrested from Ashulia,” he added.

Regarding the allegations of rape by a female passenger, the SP said, “We have not yet received any information about rape during the robbery. However, there were incidents of molestation.”

He said several police teams spoke to a woman, who was on the bus, and she denied the rape incident. “The police will quickly investigate if anyone makes any complaints about rape.”

Earlier on Saturday, Md Shahidul Islam alias Mahidul alias Muhit, 29, Md Sabuj, 30, and Md Sharifuzzaman alias Sharif were arrested.

According to investigating Officer SI Ahsanuzzaman of the district DB Sabuj and Sharif had already given confessional statements in the court. The court also ordered a five-day remand for the other accused Muhit.

SP Mizanur said in their confessional statements they said the planner of the bus robbery is Alamgir Hossain, and the second in command is Muhit.

He further said in this incident, Assistant Sub-Inspector Md Atikuzzaman of Mirzapur Police Station, Tangail has been temporarily suspended and sent to Tangail Police Lines for negligence in duty. Earlier, Sirajul Islam, officer-in-charge of the Baraigram Police Station in Natore, was suspended.

THE INCIDENT

On Monday night (17 February), a group of robbers boarded the bus and, over a span of three hours, looted passengers’ belongings and molested female passengers.

Citing victims of the incident, media reports said the Unique Road Royals bus left Gabtoli at around 11pm on Monday with around 40 passengers. The robbery started at around 12:30am on Tuesday when the bus reached Tangail’s Mirzapur.

The incident took place after the bus picked up some people from the road in the Chandra area of Gazipur.

Meanwhile, the bus supervisor, driver, and the driver’s assistant were initially detained but they have been released on bail due to a lack of specific charges against them.

The Baraigram Administrative Court granted their bail plea on Wednesday (19 February), according to court sources.

They have been released on bail on the condition of appearing at the Mirzapur Police Station as the incident took place in an area under its jurisdiction.

A case has been filed three days after a robbery and molestation incident occurred.