A leader of Gono Odhikar Parishad was detained by local residents while allegedly attempting to steal an electricity transformer in Galachipa, Patuakhali. Various tools believed to have been used for stealing transformers were recovered from his possession.

The incident has drawn renewed attention to the issue, as 60 to 65 transformer thefts have reportedly been reported in the upazila over the past year.

The incident took place late Thursday night (October 29) in Ward No. 8 of Naluabagi village. Local residents handed the detained individual over to police on Friday morning (October 30).

The detainee was identified as Md Monir Mir, president of Ward No. 4 of the Golkhali Union unit of Gono Odhikar Parishad and a former union parishad member.

According to local residents and police sources, several fishermen from Naluabagi village were passing along the road near Monir Mir’s house late Thursday night when they spotted someone attempting to steal an electricity transformer.

Hearing their shouts, nearby residents rushed to the scene and caught the suspect. He was subsequently taken to the nearby Purba Dakshin Naluabagi Government Primary School and held there.

Syed Abdul Hannan, junior in-charge of the Zulekha Bazar complaint centre of Palli Bidyut, said local residents caught Monir Mir red-handed while he was allegedly attempting to steal the transformer.

Several tools, including a wrench, pliers, metal rods, cutting pliers and a mini roll cutter, were recovered from his possession, he added.

Meanwhile, repeated transformer thefts have left families in several areas without electricity, causing prolonged hardship for local residents.

Md Mizanur Rahman Milton, an assistant teacher at Uttar Pakshia Government Primary School, said a transformer was stolen from the Notungram area about one and a half months ago. As a result, around 25 families in the area remained without electricity for nearly a week.

Md Babul Mia, a member of Ward No. 4 of Golkhali Union Parishad, said four to five transformers had been stolen from the area over the past two months, causing severe difficulties for residents.

Joy Prakash Nandi, deputy general manager (DGM) of Galachipa Palli Bidyut, said transformer thefts were occurring frequently across the upazila’s 12 unions and one municipality.

He said between 60 and 65 transformer theft complaints had been received over the past year.

Nandi added that if no local resident came forward to file a case, Palli Bidyut would take legal action by filing a case against those responsible.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Galachipa Police Station Md Imtiaz Ahmed said a case over the transformer theft incident was being processed.