Broken CCTV network leaves Feni defenceless against rising crime

Fear and uncertainty loom over Feni town as darkness no longer offers comfort here but deepens unease.

The destruction of 240 CCTV cameras across 150 locations has stripped the town of its once-watchful eyes, leaving residents and business owners exposed to the rising tide of crime.

With surveillance in tatters, the streets have become playgrounds for criminals, emboldened by the absence of watchful lenses.

As dusk falls, an air of unease settles over the town, where the silent hum of security cameras has been replaced by whispered fears of robbery, dacoity and violence.

A grand vision that crumbled

In 2015, a vision of safety materialised in the form of a Tk 38 lakh project—an ambitious network of CCTV cameras meticulously placed across Feni to guard its people.

The initiative, spearheaded by local organisation U-Touch, was meant to serve as a deterrent to crime and a beacon of reassurance.

But what was built with promise soon succumbed to neglect.

Within a mere two years, the cameras lay lifeless, their watchful gazes dimmed by disrepair. The town, once hopeful, was left vulnerable once again.

A renewed attempt to revive this fallen guardian emerged in 2022.

Then Police Superintendent of Feni, Abdullah Al Mamun, and Municipal Mayor Nazrul Islam Swapan Miyaji sought to restore the broken network, awarding a Tk 1.5 crore contract to Dhaka-based company Golden Trade.

Yet, midway through the project, financial constraints tightened their grip, and the initiative crumbled—another dream left unfulfilled.

Tragedy struck again on 5 August last year when political unrest shattered many of the remaining cameras.

As chaos swept through the town, the feeble remnants of Feni's surveillance system were vandalised, while floodwaters dealt a final, merciless blow to the control room infrastructure.

Today, municipal authorities have pledged Tk 18 lakh to salvage what remains, enlisting U-Touch once more to breathe life into the fallen sentinels. But for the people of Feni, weary of broken promises, doubt lingers like a heavy fog.

Whispers of corruption and a vanishing fortune

Beyond the physical destruction of the CCTV network, a darker tale unfolds—one of whispers and vanished wealth.

Allegations swirl that Tk 3 crore was extracted from market owners and traders under the guise of funding the project.

The money, reportedly collected through Parvez Hazari, General Secretary of the Feni City Business Association, has seemingly disappeared into the abyss.

Hazari himself has vanished, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and simmering resentment among those who placed their trust in the system.

A city in peril

In the absence of vigilant eyes, crime has flourished. What was once a town held in check by the silent watch of technology has become a battleground for opportunists.

Official records paint a troubling picture: 140 crimes were reported in January and 122 in February—an alarming rise from last year's figures of 99 and 107, respectively.

Behind these numbers lie countless untold stories of theft, robbery, kidnapping, and even murder, each one a reminder of a system that has failed its people.

For many, the urgency of restoring CCTV surveillance is not just about security—it is about reclaiming peace of mind.

"Criminals can easily escape the scene in the absence of surveillance," said Rezaul Gani Palash, a businessman from Feni town.

His voice, laced with concern, echoes the fears of an entire community.

Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, General Secretary of SHUJAN in Feni, underscored the importance of security infrastructure.

"CCTV cameras create a sense of security among the people and often deter criminals from committing offences," he said.

He also emphasised the role of CCTV in managing traffic and preventing accidents, but warned that without routine maintenance, the system would remain powerless.

Law enforcement left helpless

Feni Model Police Station has identified several locations—BSCIC, Rampur Road Intersection, Alokdia, and Faleswar—as crime hotspots.

Yet, with municipal CCTV cameras out of service, law enforcement is left scrambling for solutions.

Now, officers rely on privately installed cameras or videos recorded by citizens to investigate crimes—a makeshift approach to a crisis that demands a structured solution.

Feni Police Superintendent Habibur Rahman lamented the loss of surveillance, describing CCTV as a cornerstone of modern policing.

"Footage from CCTV cameras helps us catch criminals and gather evidence in court. Without them, investigations become far more complicated," he said.

A promise in the dark

Amidst the growing turmoil, a pledge has been made. Feni Municipality Administrator Golam Md. Baten has assured residents that new CCTV cameras will soon be installed and the system restored to full functionality.

Yet, for the people of Feni, such promises have been made before—words that once carried hope now ring hollow in the face of past failures.

For now, the town remains on edge, watching and waiting. Whether the cameras will once again stand as vigilant guardians or whether this latest promise will dissolve like the ones before it remains a question unanswered.