In recent times, jewelry establishments across the country have been facing an alarming rise in thefts, robberies, and direct assaults on business owners. These criminal activities have escalated to the extent of jewelry business owners becoming victims of murder and attempted murder at the hands of organized crime groups. Faced with such daunting circumstances, concerned jewelry business owners have sought government assistance in ensuring the safety of their lives and assets.
Amidst the surge in criminal activities targeting jewelry businesses, the Bangladesh Jewelers Association (BAJUS), the largest trade organization in the country, has expressed gratitude to the current government for its effective initiatives in combating organized crimes and criminals surrounding jewelry businesses. Their acknowledgment comes as a response to the unsettling trend of crimes that have plagued the jewelry industry in recent months.
On Wednesday, March 12, BAJUS released a press statement addressing the pressing issue. According to the announcement, incidents of theft, robbery, and extortion have seen a significant increase in recent times, with thieves and robbers focusing their activities on jewelry establishments. Statistics reveal that over the past 8 months, 17 establishments nationwide have fallen victim to thefts and robberies, resulting in losses amounting to nearly 40 crore taka. Such incidents have left jewelry businesses vulnerable to security threats and financial losses.
In light of these developments, Golzar Ahmed, the esteemed President of BAJUS, highlighted the recurring targeting of jewelry establishments, causing apprehension among business owners. The prevalent situation has left jewelry business owners in a state of extreme vulnerability, prompting a plea for swift intervention and support from state security advisors.
Further emphasizing the need for preventative measures against such crimes, Badal Chandra Roy, the General Editor of BAJUS, stressed the importance of ensuring comprehensive security for the country’s jewelry establishments and the gold traders. He urged for necessary steps to be taken to prevent the recurrence of such criminal activities and prompt return of licensed firearms to jewelry business owners.
Recent statistics indicate a concerning trend, with 11 thefts and robberies occurring nationwide in the first three months of the new year alone. Notable incidents include a series of thefts from various jewelry stores, such as the robbery of gold ornaments from Luna Jewelers during Friday prayers at Shah Ali Plaza Market in Mirpur-10 on February 28. Such incidents not only pose a threat to the financial well-being of business owners but also instill fear and insecurity within the business community.
The need for heightened security measures was further underscored by the tragic events of March 9, when Dilip Kumar was brutally murdered in his store in Ashulia, with the perpetrators making off with 15-20 bhori of gold. These incidents serve as stark reminders of the vulnerability faced by jewelry business owners in the current landscape of escalating criminal activities.
Prior to these events, in September 2024, Molla Tower in Rampura was targeted, resulting in the theft of 195 bhori of gold, 450 bhori of silver, and 13 lakh taka in cash from the establishments of De Monika Jewelers and De Sultana Jewelers. The gravity of such crimes was further exemplified by a series of robberies, including the fatal stabbing of Hira Lal Debnath in Laxmipur on November 8, as well as a heist at Sparkle Jewelers and Aban Gold in Mirpur on November 9, where jewelry worth three crore taka was stolen.
As Bangladesh continues to grapple with the escalating threats faced by jewelry business owners, the need for comprehensive security measures and swift government intervention remains paramount to safeguarding the industry’s integrity and the well-being of its stakeholders.
Published/ Broadcast by Bangladesh News Twentyfour.com at 2150 hours, March 12, 2025.