4 held over murder of BNP activist in Raozan

The arrestees are Abdullah Khokon alias Langra Khokon, Md. Maruf, Saqlain Hossain, and Ziaur Rahman. Among them, Saqlain Hossain has been shown arrested in a separate case filed under the Arms Control Act.

Chattogram District Police Superintendent Md. Saiful Islam Santu told the media on Thursday that the murder was planned to gain control over sand mining along the Karnaphuli River and to establish local dominance over the Balumohal (sand mining area).

“So far, four people, including the mastermind behind the killing, have been arrested,” the SP added.

According to police, on October 7, businessman and BNP activist Abdul Hakim Chowdhury went to Bagowan in Raozan to visit Hamim Agro Farm in his private car. In the afternoon, while returning to Chattogram city, unidentified assailants on a motorcycle intercepted his car near the west side of Madunaghat Bridge and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving him critically injured.

Hakim later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Soon after the incident, the Chattogram District Detective Branch (DB) and Hathazari Police Station visited the scene, collected preliminary information, and launched an investigation.

As part of the investigation, Abdullah Khokon was arrested from Garib Ullah Para in Bagowan Union under Raozan Police Station on October 31. During primary interrogation, he confessed to his involvement in the murder and later gave a confessional statement under Section 164 before a court.

Based on information provided by Khokon, police arrested Maruf, another suspect, from the Chowdhuryhat area of Noapara Union under Raozan Police Station on November 2. During questioning, Maruf revealed the location of the murder weapon, which was in the possession of his associate Md. Saqlain Hossain.

Following this lead, a special team from Hathazari Police Station conducted a raid on the night of November 4 and arrested Saqlain Hossain.

Police recovered a domestically made single-barrel gun, an LG, and the motorcycle used in the killing from his possession.

In a subsequent raid, police also arrested Ziaur Rahman, a neighbour of the deceased Abdul Hakim Chowdhury, from Panchkhain area of Bagowan Union.

SP Saiful Islam Santu said that names of 10 to 12 more individuals have been identified during the investigation, and efforts are underway to arrest them, reports UNB. 

The deceased, Abdul Hakim Chowdhury, was the son of late Ali Madan Chowdhury of Panchkhain area in Bagowan Union, Raozan Upazila. He was known to be a follower of BNP central leader and former lawmaker Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury.