Jewellery traders of Laxmipur on Thursday (June 8) staged a sit-in protesting against dacoity at an outlet and chopping its owner.

Earlier, armed robbers looted gold ornaments from a jewellery shop after hacking its proprietor in Lakshmipur the previous night. The dacoity occurred in front of Chowdhury Super Market in the College Road area of the town around 8:15 pm.

Amit Karmakar, son of the owner of RK Shilpalaya, said a group of 8-10 armed robbers entered the shop and started looting gold ornaments and cash.

 “When we tried to resist them, the robbers hacked and injured my father Apu Karmakar with sharp weapon. The robbers blasted several cocktails and fled the spot when the nearby businessmen rushed to the spot,” he added.

Apu Karmakar was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for better treatment. Amit Karmakar was also beaten up during the incident.

According to police and witnesses, the robbers detonated several crude bombs before and after the robbery to create panic among the people in the area.

Police said a pedestrian was killed and two others were injured when the pickup van used by robbers ran over them while fleeing after looting.

The deceased was identified as Safiullah, 60, a resident of Iterpool area of Laxmipur municipality.
Ismail Hossain, injured in pickup hit, is being treated at Sadar Hospital. The identity of the other injured person was not known.

Meanwhile, the gold traders of Laxmipur observed a sit-in demonstration by keeping the shops closed for half day.

This programme was held at the invitation of Bangladesh Jeweller's Association (BAJUS) Laxmipur district unit.

More than 500 gold traders across the district took part in the demo.

Harihar Pal, president of district branch of BAJUS, said gold trader Apu’s condition is critical. The robbers cut and injured his head and other parts of his body. They also placed a memorandum to the administration seeking security of the jewellers and arrest of the culprits.

BDST: 2112 HRS, JUNE 08, 2023
MSK