4 top outlaws handed over to police in Kushtia

Rab-12 in Kushtia arrested them from Manakhali village in Sadar upazila early Friday.

A foreign-made shot gun and 21 bullets were recovered from their possession.

The arrested outlaws are Shamsul Alam alias Shamsu, Asadul, Rafiqul of Chakrazpur and Alim of Bhadalia in Sadar upazila in the district. Of them, Shamsu was the 'second-in-command' of NBCP, led by Akdil Hossain in the region. The rest three are NBCP cadres, Rab sources said.

Acting on a tip-off, Rab personnel raided a house at Manakhali village on the outskirts of Kushtia town where the outlaws were holding a secret meting at about 4:30 am.

At least 15 outlaws were at the meeting. Sensing presence of Rab, the NBCP men opened fire.

Rab men caught four of them without firing shots, the Rab sources said.

After two days' interrogation, Rab handed over them to police.

According to police, Shamsu is accused in six cases including four for murders. His accomplices were also accused in several criminal offenses each.

A total 105 alleged criminals including outlaws were killed in crossfire in the district since June 2004. The figure is the highest among districts in the country.