Police have arrested three women including the suspected leader of notorious criminal gang ‘Lady
Kanta’  during a special overnight operation in Sunamganj district town.

The arrestees are Kanta Begum, widely known as ‘Lady Kanta, Subarna Akter Akhi, wife of Abdul Aziz of Hasannagar; and Jannat Akter, daughter of Alhad Mia of Laxmipur village in Jamalganj upazila.

Police also recovered a locally made sharp weapon resembling a sword from their possessions during the operation conducted in different parts of the town late Sunday night.

Police said the gang had been involved in organised criminal activities in the district town and its surrounding areas for a long period.

Investigators said the group used a unique strategy to carry out crimes.

Members of the gang used to disguise themselves and enter homes as assistance seekers or posing as domestic workers. Once inside, they would take advantage of opportunities to steal cash, gold ornaments and valuable mobile phones before fleeing the scene, they said .

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sunamganj Sadar Model Police Station, Ratan Sheikh, said Kanta, also known as Lady Kanta, and her associates had allegedly been carrying out thefts and robberies for years by entering homes in disguise.

He said they were arrested in an operation conducted on the basis of intelligence information and that legal action against them was underway.