Sergeant Royel Devnath Honoured for Arresting Snatcher

Sergeant Royel Devnath of the Sreemangal Traffic Division has received a special award for his prompt action in chasing and arresting a snatcher and recovering a mobile phone during his duty.

The award was presented to him on Thursday (October 8) at the monthly welfare meeting of the Moulvibazar District Police, held at the Drill Shed of the Police Lines in Moulvibazar, in recognition of his performance during September 2026.

The meeting was chaired by Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police Md Monirul Islam and conducted by Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sreemangal Circle) Md Wahiduzzaman Raju.

According to police sources, at around 6:45pm on September 21, Sergeant Royel Devnath was performing traffic duty in the Godar Bazar area of the busy Habiganj Road in Sreemangal town. At that time, a woman from the Kalighat Road area was crossing the road while carrying her mobile phone when a snatcher forcibly took the phone from her and attempted to flee.

Hearing the woman's cries for help, Sergeant Royel Devnath immediately chased the snatcher. He caught hold of the suspect after a brief struggle. Despite the suspect's attempt to escape, the sergeant managed to detain him and recover the stolen mobile phone.

With the assistance of local people, the detained suspect, identified as Md Rakib, along with the recovered mobile phone, was later handed over to Sreemangal Police Station for legal action.

The prompt response and professional conduct of Sergeant Royel Devnath were appreciated by senior police officials. His decision to intervene immediately upon witnessing the incident has been recognised as an example of professional responsibility while on duty.

Reacting to the award, Sergeant Royel Devnath said that responding promptly to criminal incidents and taking necessary legal action are important responsibilities of a police officer. He said he heard the woman's cries and immediately tried to apprehend the snatcher and recover the stolen phone. He also said the recognition would encourage him to perform his duties with greater dedication and responsibility in the future.

At the monthly welfare meeting, various issues concerning the welfare of police personnel, improvement of the working environment, possible solutions to existing problems and measures to make the district police's activities more effective were discussed.

The meeting also emphasised discipline, honesty, public-friendly behaviour and mutual cooperation among police personnel. The importance of improving professional skills, providing prompt services and strengthening public confidence in the police was also highlighted.

In his speech, Superintendent of Police Md Monirul Islam said that responsibility and the ability to respond promptly to situations at the field level are crucial for ensuring public safety. He stressed the need for police personnel to provide prompt and sincere services to the public and strengthen public trust.

The SP also directed all units of the district police to perform their duties with maximum professionalism, vigilance and responsibility to ensure a peaceful, safe and festive environment during the upcoming Durga Puja. He stressed enhanced security at puja mandaps, important installations, roads and public gathering places, increased patrols, smooth traffic movement and prompt coordinated action in case of any untoward incident.

He also instructed police units to strengthen intelligence monitoring to prevent rumours, miscreant activities and any attempt to disrupt law and order.

At the end of the meeting, awards were presented to outstanding officers and police stations in different categories based on their performance in September.

Police Inspector Sarker Abdullah Al Mamun of Sreemangal Police Station was selected as the Best Officer-in-Charge (OC). SI Obaidullah of Sadar Model Police Station was selected as the Best Sub-Inspector (SI), while Sergeant Kamalesh Biswas of the Sadar Traffic Division was selected as the Best Traffic Officer. ASI Abu Taleb of Sreemangal Police Station was recognised as the Best Warrant Execution Officer.

In addition, three police officers received special awards in recognition of their professionalism, dedication and sense of responsibility.

SI Md Shamim Uddin of Juri Police Station was awarded for arresting two accused, securing their statements under Section 164 and recovering a machete allegedly used in a murder as well as the victim's mobile phone.

Sergeant Royel Devnath of Sreemangal Traffic received the special award for arresting a snatcher and recovering the stolen mobile phone.

SI Ahlad Ibne Jamil, PPM, of the District Detective Branch was awarded for playing an important role in arresting five accused in two separate cases and recovering significant evidence.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Asif Mahuddin, PPM; Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Nobel Chakma, PPM; Additional Superintendent of Police (Kulaura Circle) Mostafizur Rahman; heads of different units of the district police; officers-in-charge of all police stations; and police personnel of various ranks attended the meeting.