A wave of thefts swept through the Nazirpur Union’s Choyhissha Bazaar in Baufal Upazila, Patuakhali, where 11 establishments were burgled in a single night. The incident occurred on the night of Saturday, 2 August.
According to local sources, a group of thieves broke into several shops and residences in the market area, looting cash, commodities, and various goods.
Affected Establishments
Below is a detailed list of the affected institutions and individuals:
| Victim / Business | Type of Establishment |
| Asadul Talukder | Rice mill and fertiliser-pesticide shop |
| Salauddin Mridha | Grocery and general store |
| Malek Mridha | Grocery store |
| Dr Zakir | Pharmacy |
| Ganesh Das | Grocery store |
| Abdur Rahman | Hardware shop |
| Abdur Rahim | Cement shop |
| Forkan Talukder | bKash (mobile money) outlet |
| Halim Hawladar | Residential house |
| Two shops at Taterkathi Road Junction | Grocery/general & tea stalls |
Community Reaction
Local business owners expressed alarm and frustration, as the scale of the incident caused widespread panic across the market area. The victims and fellow traders have urged the authorities to swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Asadul Islam, a businessman from the bazaar, suggested a possible link between the thefts and local drug addiction, commenting:
“Drugs are now so easily accessible in this union that you could practically grab them with your hand. Drug addicts may have been involved.”
Police Response
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Akhtaruzzaman Sarkar of Baufal Police Station confirmed that a police team had already been dispatched to the crime scene. He assured the public:
“We will conduct a prompt investigation and take necessary legal action.”
The incident has not only exposed serious vulnerabilities in local security but also reignited concerns over rising drug influence and its connection to crime in rural communities.
