The Special Response Battalion (SRB) has arrested Roni, the main shooter involved in the public daytime murder of Saheb Ali in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, over a dispute to control the local drug trade.
Following his arrest from Bhedarganj in Shariatpur, law enforcement officers recovered a pistol and one round of live ammunition used in the killing.
According to the SRB, the preplanned murder was carried out to establish dominance and gain sole control over the drug business.
SRB-11 Commanding Officer Lt Col Mohammad Masud Parvez briefed journalists on the details during a press conference held at the SRB Media Centre on Friday.
He said that the daytime shooting of Saheb Ali was captured on CCTV camera. As the footage circulated, it triggered panic and widespread sensation across the locality. The perpetrators fled immediately after the murder, prompting the SRB to launch a search operation. Main shooter Roni fled Narayanganj and took shelter in Bhedarganj, Shariatpur, where he was ultimately apprehended.
Describing the attack, the SRB-11 commanding officer explained that after Saheb Ali was shot initially, he fell into a nearby drain. Roni then fired at him again to ensure his death. Following his arrest, a search drive conducted alongside Roni led to the recovery of the pistol and one round of bullet used in the crime.
Lt Col Masud Parvez further disclosed that earlier on Tuesday, law enforcement arrested the number three accused in the case, identified as Sabbir, and handed him over to the police station. Operations are currently underway to arrest the remaining suspects involved.
Explaining the underlying motive, the SRB-11 chief noted that both the deceased Saheb Ali and the arrested Roni were known locally as terrorists and drug dealers who operated within the same gang. Conflict arose between them over taking sole control of the drug business and sharing profits with others. This dispute led to the plot to assassinate Saheb Ali when an opportunity presented itself.
Both Saheb Ali and Roni had previously been arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and were later released on bail. Roni faces four criminal cases, including two for murder, alongside charges of mugging and brawling.
Addressing questions regarding the political affiliations of local criminals, Masud Parvez said that they are essentially terrorists and drug traffickers with no political identity.
He said, “We do not consider anyone’s political identity during our operations,” adding that SRB-11 does not take political affiliation into account during any drive.
Regarding the broader law and order situation in Narayanganj, the SRB-11 chief noted that eight other members of the gang linked to the Siddhirganj incident had been arrested previously. Furthermore, several terrorists, including Cobra Russel and Srabon, were arrested from Chasara and Rupganj, while the district police have also made multiple arrests.
Expressing hope that these ongoing operations are improving the law and order situation in Narayanganj, he affirmed that drives to arrest the remaining suspects and recover arms are continuing.
