Police arrested 11 robbers after a robbery in Bishambharpur upazila of Sunamganj Monday night after a victim called the emergency service provider number 999 and informed the lawmakers of the crime.

The arrestees were identified as Rubel Mia, 30, Bachhu Mia, 35, Kamal Mia, 35, Amin Mia, 28, Mizanur Rahman, 45, Ashraf Ali, 35, Sumon Mia, 25, Rasel Mia, 30, Enam Mia,40, Jasim Uddin, 30 and Sadikur Rahman, 20  -- all from Sylhet.

The victim Md Julhas Mia of Dolura village said the robbers entered his house by breaking down the door.

“They beat up my family members and looted valuable items including cash and gold jewellery. Police were able to arrest them while they were crossing Cholti River in Torunisha area in the same Upazila,” he said.

Wadud Mia, a family member of Julhas said, “We called the emergency hotline 999 and informed police about the robbery.”

Dhanpur Union Parishad Chairman Rafiqul Islam Talukdar confirmed the incident saying, "There was a large amount of money stocked at Julha's house to pay for the making of boats. The robbers somehow came to know of the news and tried to rob him. Police managed to arrest the robbers with the help of locals.”

Md Asaduzzaman, Officer-in-Charge of Jagannathpur police station said, “We managed to catch the robbers while they were trying to escape, thanks to receiving the information on the emergency help line.”

The arrestees were wanted in other robbery cases with the police station, he said.

Sanjay Sarkar, Additional Superintendent of Police (Sunamganj) said his team recovered the cash stolen from Julha's house. They also recovered a gold chain, two mobile phones, two daggers, three knives and sharp weapons.