'Mastermind' held after six months

Mokbul of Akhalia Kalibari area, an alleged activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and one of the two FIR-named accused in the murder case, was caught by people while he was selling heroin at Osmaninagar on the night of May 29, identifying himself as Mokaddas. His real identity came to light when he was produced in court on May 31. Sub Inspector Fazlul Haque, investigation officer of the murder case, identified him as Mokbul at the court. He was placed on remand.

He was absconding since the murder on October 6 last year.

The other accused, Shahed, also a BCL activist in Akhalia Kalibari area, is still absconding.

Elderly Mokhlisur Rahman, owner of Jalalabad Air Express and president of Taltola Bayboshayee Samity (traders association) in the city, was shot dead by unidentified killers at his business office at Taltola.

He was founder Headmaster of Dashgahr High School in Biswanath upazila and a respected man in the city.

The murder sparked instant protests by all classes of people including businessmen.

People put up barricades on roads and held rallies for arrest of the killers. Trade bodies observed strike in the city.

A protest rally held within two hours of the murder was addressed by leaders of political parties and trade bodies, representatives of the elite and the city Mayor.

Within two hours of the murder, police had caught the driver of the autorickshaw used by the killers. The driver told police that Shahed and Mokbul had hired his vehicle for the killing and followed the killers in a motorbike.

Shahed and Mokbul were wanted in a number of cases, police said.