United News of Bangladesh

Police have arrested the prime suspect and uncovered the motives behind the gruesome murder of Ashraful Haque, whose dismembered body was found inside two plastic drums near the High Court adjacent to the National Eidgah on Thursday in the capital. The arrested suspect has been identified as Mohammad Zarezul Islam, 39, according to the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. DB officials said Ashraful Haque, 44, was a trader of onion and garlic at Hili land port in Dinajpur. On the night of November 11, Ashraful travelled from Rangpur to Dhaka with his friend Zarezul. After reaching Dhaka, Ashraful’s mobile phone was found switched off. On the evening of November 13, Shahbagh Police recovered 26 pieces of a dismembered body from two drums placed near the gate of the National Eidgah. Fingerprint analysis confirmed the identity of the victim, and his sister later identified the body at the morgue. A murder case was subsequently filed with Shahbagh Police Station. Following the incident, the DB launched a shadow investigation. Through CCTV footage analysis and technological tracking, investigators identified the movements of those involved. On Friday, November 14, DB personnel conducted a raid in Daudkandi of Cumilla and arrested Zarezul. Based on his information, a machete used in the killing was recovered from Sayedabad bus terminal, along with scotch tape and a hammer from a rented house. Briefing reporters at the DMP Media Centre on Saturday noon, Additional Commissioner (DB) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam stated that Zarezul, a Malaysia expatriate, had returned home about one and a half months ago. While abroad, he developed a relationship via the Bigo Live app with a woman named Shamima Islam from Cumilla. After Zarezul returned home, his wife discovered the affair, leading to marital tensions. She then sought help from Ashraful, giving him Shamima’s number in an attempt to dissuade Zarezul from the relationship. Instead, Ashraful himself became involved with Shamima. Trusted friend turns killer: How Jarez orchestrated trader Ashraful’s murder According to preliminary findings, Ashraful had promised to arrange Tk 14 lakh to send his friend Zarezul to Japan, of which Shamima was supposed to contribute Tk 7 lakh. In anticipation of the money and to meet in private, they travelled to Dhaka. They rented a house in Bank Colony under Demra Police Station on the afternoon of November 12, cleaned the residence together, and purchased basic household items including a mattress, pillows, and curtains. Police said the three engaged in physical relations mutually, but an altercation broke out when Ashraful insisted on unnatural acts with Shamima, which she refused. As she began crying, Zarezul became angry. Shamima then tied Ashraful’s hands under the pretext of the act. When Ashraful persisted, Zarezul struck him with a hammer. As Ashraful screamed, Shamima tied him with her scarf and scotch tape. Ashraful died from the assault and suffocation. Panicked after the killing, the duo stayed in the house with the body throughout the night. The next morning, they bought two plastic drums, polythene sheets, and a machete from local shops. In the bathroom, with the water tap running, Zarezul dismembered the body while Shamima assisted. They packed the remains into the drums and later hired a CNG-run autorickshaw. On November 13, they abandoned the drums on the footpath near the High Court water pump on the National Eidgah and quickly returned home. After collecting their belongings, Shamima left for Cumilla, while Zarezul initially planned to head to Rangpur but later travelled to a friend’s house in Cumilla, where DB personnel arrested him. Police say the investigation is ongoing, and legal action against those involved is underway. Meanwhile, RAB earlier said at a press briefing on Saturday morning that after the arrest of Zarezul’s girlfriend, Shamima Akhter, it was learned that Zarezul had planned to extort Tk 1 million from Ashraful by using her to lure him into a trap. Shamima told RAB that, under that plan, Ashraful was brought to Dhaka. However, it still remains unclear why he was killed instead of extracting the money. Read more: ‘Extramarital affair’ led to trader Ashraful’s murder: DB, RAB

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has detained two persons, including the prime suspect, allegedly responsible for burning down the homes and shops of the Hindus in Rangpur. Saikat Mandal, 24, son of Rashedul Haque and his accomplice Rabiul Islam, 36, son of Moslem Uddin of Pirganj upazila, have been nabbed by RAB-13 personnel from Gazipur district's Tongi area, following a raid based on a tip-off, sources told UNB on Saturday. During preliminary interrogation, the two admitted their guilt, Director (Legal and Media Wing) at the Rab headquarters Commander Khandaker Al Moin told reporters. READ: Rangpur: 1 arrested in Joypurhat under DSA, 42 for arson The detainees told interrogators that they had used loudspeakers to instigate people to carry out the arson attacks in a bid to create anarchy and disrupt communal harmony in the country, after posting misleading comments on social media, the RAB Commander said. “Saikat provoked people by uploading false information on Facebook. He led a number of arson attacks directly. Rabiul used loudspeakers to instigate people, on Saikat's instructions," said Moin. After the attacks, Saikat, a student of a Rangpur college, went into hiding. "Efforts are on to take legal steps against the detainees,” said RAB officers. READ: Rangpur offenders must face action: Home Minister On October 17, the attackers set fire to 20-25 houses and shops of the Hindus at Boro Karimpur Majhipara village in Rangpur's Pirganj upazila over a social media post, deputy commissioner Asif Hasan had said. The attackers had also looted cash, cattle and other valuables from the houses of the Hindus. Police have so far detained 42 men in connection with the arson attacks. Three cases have been filed in this connection with Pirganj Police.

Dhaka, July 7 (UNB) – Detectives in a drive in Cumilla on Sunday arrested the prime suspect in the killing of six-year-old girl Samia Afrin Sayma after rape in Dhaka’s Wari area.   They arrested Harun-Or-Rashid, a painter by profession, from Darbardanga area in Titas upazila in Cumilla district.   Harun used to live in the same building where the victim’s family resides.