TANGAIL, JUNE 06 (V7N) – The District Detective Branch (DB) of police in Tangail has successfully apprehended five individuals, including the alleged mastermind, in connection with the recent robbery of a Jordanian woman's microbus on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway in Mirzapur. Superintendent of Police Md. Mizanur Rahman announced the arrests at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, June 3.

The arrests were made on Monday, June 2, in Savar and Mirpur. Authorities recovered four mobile phones and Tk 13,500 in cash from the suspects. The arrested individuals have been identified as Md. Abdul Hakim (from Barishal), Md. Sohag, Md. Roman, Milan Sikder, and Md. Arif Hossain. Police confirmed that multiple cases have been filed against the arrested individuals at various police stations.

The robbery occurred on May 31 in the Pushtakamuri Charpara bypass area of Mirzapur upazila. When highway patrol police noticed the incident and approached, the robbers fled, abandoning the microbus. A police officer sustained injuries from the robbers' gunfire during their escape. Following the incident, the Jordanian woman's elder sister filed a case with Mirzapur police station.

Concurrently, Tangail district is facing a potential flood threat as the water levels of its major rivers – the Jamuna, Dhaleswari, Lauhajang, and Jhenai – continue to rise. This surge is attributed to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, increased rainfall, and significant water flow from upstream. As a result, water has begun to enter various low-lying areas across the district.

According to the latest estimates from the Tangail Water Development Board, river water levels in the district have been steadily increasing for five consecutive days since May 30. As of Tuesday morning, June 3, the Jamuna River at Porabari point saw a 68-centimeter increase from the previous day, flowing just 2.39 centimeters below the danger level. The river's water level is rising at an average rate of 7 to 10 centimeters per day.

On the same day, the Dhaleswari River at Elasin Point recorded a 52-centimeter increase compared to the previous day, reaching 2.89 centimeters below the danger level. The Jamuna Ghesha New Dhalesari (Jhenai) River at Jokarchar Point experienced a substantial 73-centimeter rise, putting it 2.22 points below the danger level. The Banshai River at Gorai (Bangshai) Ghat Point in Mirzapur increased by 17 centimeters, reaching 2.48 centimeters below the danger level. Further upstream, the Kauljani Bazar Point saw a 12-centimeter increase, now at 3.39 points below the danger level, while the Shaheed Smriti School Point in Madhupur rose by 40 centimeters, reaching 3.67 centimeters below the danger level. The Fatikjani River at Nalchopa Bridge Point increased by 21 centimeters, standing at 4.17 centimeters below the danger level. Similar rising trends have been observed in other internal rivers such as Jhenai, Lauhajang, Bairan, Elengjani, and Langulia.

Water has already begun to inundate many low-lying areas, including parts of Kakua and Hugra Unions in Tangail Sadar Upazila, Nagada Shimla and Hadira Union in Gopalpur Upazila, Gabsara, Arjuna, and Gobindasi Union in Bhuiyanpur Upazila, and Gohaliabari, Salla of Kalihati Upazila, as well as the char (river island) areas of Nagarpur Upazila. The rising water levels have also initiated river erosion, with river banks collapsing in several areas of Nagarpur and Bhuiyanpur, posing a threat to agricultural land and homes. Locals express frustration, citing a lack of attention to dam repair or river bank protection projects, which forces them to endure similar situations annually.

Tangail Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md. Matiur Rahman stated that despite the current increases, there is no immediate danger of widespread flooding from the rivers in the district. He anticipates that these water levels will recede before the monsoon waters rise again in a second phase. He assured the public that a warning would be issued if the situation escalates to a flood threat. Rahman also confirmed that the Water Development Board has all necessary logistical support as an emergency measure to prevent river erosion and is conducting regular monitoring of river levels and conditions at the field level.

END/BVT/RH/