RAB arrests truck driver for ‘murdering’ pump manager over fuel dispute in Narail

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested a truck driver suspected of intentionally crushing a filling station manager to death after being reportedly denied diesel in Narail.

The suspect, Sujat Ali, was arrested from his father-in-law’s residence in Kismat Mahmudpur village of Jashore’s Bagherpara Upazila on Sunday afternoon, according to ATM Fazle Rabbi, commander of RAB-6 Jashore.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday evening, Rabbi said efforts are ongoing to arrest Sujat’s assistant, identified only as Jahur, who is also implicated in the incident.

The fatal encounter occurred late Saturday night at the Tanvir Filling Station, located along the Narail-Jashore highway.

According to witnesses and RAB officials, Sujat and Jahur arrived at the station for diesel.

When the manager, 33-year-old Nahid Sarder, informed them that the fuel stock was exhausted and he could not fulfil their request, an altercation ensued.

Witnesses claimed the trucker became incensed and openly threatened to run Nahid over with his vehicle.

Around 2am, as Nahid and his colleague Jihadul Islam, 27, were returning home on a motorcycle, a speeding truck allegedly chased them down and rammed into their bike just 100 yards away from the filling station.

Nahid died on the spot, while Jihandul was critically injured. He has since been shifted to a hospital in Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Tularampur Highway Police chief Sekendar Ali confirmed that the truck involved in the incident was found abandoned and seized in Benapole on Sunday afternoon.

"Initial evidence suggests the dispute over fuel led to the killing, but we are also investigating whether there were any prior grievances," said Narail Police chief Mohammad Oli Mia.

Petrol pump owners in Narail shut down all 10 filling stations in the district for 24 hours after the murder.