Railway police arrested 11 alleged female snatchers during a special drive at Brahmanbaria Railway Station on Friday morning.

The suspects were detained from Platform No. 2 during a raid conducted on the basis of confidential information, said Md Shah Alam, in-charge of the Brahmanbaria Railway Police Outpost, while speaking to Red Times  News.

According to Shah Alam, the women were arrested on suspicion of being involved in a snatching network operating on trains.

Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the women had long been engaged in snatching valuables from passengers while travelling as ordinary commuters. They allegedly targeted female passengers and stole gold ornaments, necklaces, earrings, mobile phones, cash and other valuable belongings.

The arrested women were identified as Selina, 35, wife of Ishaq Mia; Safia, 30, wife of Belu Mia; Sulema, 62, wife of Ali Newaz; Abuni, 65, wife of Ruku Mia; Shahana, 35, daughter of Nuru Mia; Lucky, 30, wife of Sohel; Shahana, 45, wife of Alamgir; Sathi Akter, 23, wife of Sujon Mia; Akhi Akter, 23, wife of Ramzan Mia; Rahala, 50, wife of late Kamal; and Sujana Akter, 35, wife of Golap Mia.

Police said the detainees have multiple cases filed against them in different police stations across the country.

After completing legal formalities, the accused were produced before a court and later sent to jail.

All of the arrested women are residents of Uchail village under Habiganj Sadar upazila in Habiganj district, according to the railway police official.

in-charge Shah Alam said railway police would continue regular drives against snatchers and criminal gangs to ensure the safety and security of railway passengers.