Police have arrested two suspected gunmen allegedly involved in the killing of ice factory owner and regional leader of the Biplobi Communist Party Rana Pratap Bairagi in Kopalia Bazar, Monirampur Upazila.
With these arrests, a total of four people are now in custody in connection with the case.
The arrests were announced Friday afternoon at a press briefing at the Jashore Superintendent of Police office by Abul Bashar, additional superintendent of police (Crime and Operations).
The suspects, identified as Mahmud Hasan Hriday, 28, of Barandi Palbari and Shamim Hossain, 31, of Barandi Purba Para, were apprehended early Friday morning from Mohammadpur village in Tanore Upazila, Rajshahi.
Police recovered a foreign-made pistol, two rounds of ammunition, a magazine, and a knife from them.
Abul Bashar said the arrests were made following information provided by Rajib Molla, who was detained earlier on 17 February.
Another suspect, Saddam Hossain, had been arrested prior to that.
Authorities said the slain Bairagi, son of Tushar Kanti Bairagi of Baisa village, Keshabpur Upazila, was the regional leader of Monirampur for the Biplobi Communist Party. The arrested suspects are members of the Purba Bangla Communist Party.
Police indicated that the murder was the result of an internal conflict between two banned extremist groups. They added that Rana Pratap Bairagi was allegedly involved in extortion, land grabbing, and other criminal activities under the banner of a rival organisation, which prompted the attack.
According to police, on 5 January, Rana Pratap Bairagi was shot multiple times in the head and chest near Jhumur Beauty Parlor in Kopalia Bazar.
The attackers also inflicted a fatal stab wound to his neck before fleeing the scene. Abul Bashar confirmed that no other motives have been identified.
The Jashore Detective Branch continues to investigate the case and is searching for additional suspects.
