Police in Rupganj have arrested two men accused of staging a robbery while posing as officers from the Detective Branch (DB), recovering a hijacked lorry, 55 drums of palm oil, a microbus, a walkie-talkie set and a locally made weapon during a swift operation on Tuesday afternoon.
The suspects were identified as Sekandar (40), son of Samsuddin of Boalia এলাকায় in Kishoreগঞ্জ Sadar, and Ron Chandra Shil (30), son of the late Genendra Chandra Shil of Gazipura in Araihazar. Investigators believe they were part of a larger organised group that impersonated plain-clothes police officers in order to intercept commercial vehicles transporting valuable goods.
According to police sources, the incident unfolded on 24 February when a cargo lorry departed from Shabnam Vegetable Oil Industries Limited in the Tarabo in the area, carrying 60 drums of “Family Fortified” palm oil destined for Fulbaria Upazila in Mymensingh. The consignment was reportedly valued at approximately Tk 2 million (around £14,000 at prevailing exchange rates).
When the lorry reached the Baniadi in the area of Murapara, it was intercepted by a white TRX microbus. Witnesses said seven to eight men emerged from the vehicle, identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch. Claiming they needed to verify documentation, they seized the vehicle’s keys and forced the driver, 36-year-old Babul Mia, into the microbus.
The gang allegedly robbed the driver of Tk 20,000 in cash and a mobile telephone before attempting to remove and redirect part of the shipment. Local residents, sensing irregularities, alerted the authorities. Acting on the tip-off, a police team launched an immediate operation and managed to intercept the microbus in Baniadi at around 5:30 pm.
Two suspects were apprehended at the scene, while others fled. Officers recovered the lorry, the microbus, 55 drums of palm oil, a walkie-talkie set—apparently used to mimic official communications—and a crude weapon. The abducted driver was rescued unharmed.
A summary of the recovered items is provided below:
| Item Recovered | Quantity | Estimated Value (Tk) |
|---|---|---|
| Palm oil drums | 55 | 2,000,000 (approx.) |
| Cargo lorry | 1 | — |
| TRX microbus | 1 | — |
| Walkie-talkie set | 1 | — |
| Locally made weapon | 1 | — |
| Cash recovered | 20,000 | 20,000 |
The Officer-in-Charge of Rupganj Police Station, Sabjel Hossain, stated that a prompt response prevented significant financial loss and possible violence. Legal proceedings are under way, with charges expected to include robbery, abduction, impersonation of law enforcement officers and illegal possession of weapons.
Police have warned transport operators to verify the identity of any officials conducting roadside inspections and to contact the nearest থানায় immediately if doubts arise. Authorities are continuing efforts to track down the remaining members of the gang.
