Armed Robbery and Temple Theft in Sitakunda

In a troubling series of incidents in Sitakunda Upazila, Chattogram, a woman was reportedly robbed at gunpoint, while a local temple also fell victim to a theft. The armed robbery occurred on Thursday afternoon near the Mandaritola road junction, adjacent to a Buddhist cemetery along the Dhaka–Chattogram highway.

The victim, Sandhya Rani Sharma (58), a resident of Hatilota village in Barabkund Union and daughter of the late Umesh Sharma, was targeted while on her way from home to Barabkund market. According to family members, two unknown individuals stopped her along the highway, pressed a firearm to her head, and stole her gold earrings, nose ring, 10,000 Taka, and a mobile phone. When she resisted, she was assaulted before the assailants fled the scene.

Her younger brother, Sabuj Sharma, told our representative that Sandhya Rani had arrived in Sitakunda on Wednesday from her in-laws’ residence in Feni. Following the attack, she received immediate local medical attention.

The officer-in-charge of Sitakunda police station, Mohinul Islam, stated that a written complaint from the victim’s family has not yet been filed. “Once we receive the formal complaint, appropriate legal action will be taken,” he added.

Meanwhile, in another alarming event within the same union, a temple was burgled. On Wednesday night, thieves broke into the Shri Shri Shyamrai Mahaprabhu Ashram in South Mahmudabad Charalkandi. Rajib Nath, general secretary of the Ashram committee, reported that after completing religious activities for the night, two attendants had fallen asleep. At some point during the night, intruders broke the temple lock and stole six brass idols, approximately one bhori of gold jewellery, and ten bhori of silver ornaments. The theft was discovered during early morning prayers when the temple door was found open, prompting the filing of a police report.

Officer-in-charge Mohinul Islam confirmed, “We have received a written complaint regarding the temple burglary. Police have inspected the scene and the investigation is ongoing.”

The following table summarises the two incidents for clarity:

These incidents have heightened local concern over security along the Dhaka–Chattogram highway and within Sitakunda’s rural areas. Police officials have assured that increased patrolling and safety measures will be implemented to prevent similar crimes.