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Scrap trader Md Sohag was murdered due to a long-running 'business rivalry' and not because of any political reasons, a DMP high official said on Wednesday.
"Sohag had been involved in dealing with stolen aluminium wires of the Palli Bidyut network and selling them to factories that produce aluminium utensils for the last 17 years," Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md. Nazrul Islam said.
The additional police commissioner was speaking to the media at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre in the capital.
He said another group from the same area became active in the same illegal trade, which sparked a fierce rivalry that eventually led into Sohag's murder.
He said that there was no attempt to disrupt the election, or, embarrass the government through this killing. "It was purely the result of personal and commercial disputes."
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali, who was also present at the briefing, said that the man who was seen throwing a stone at Sohag was initially unidentified.
He said a special police team later confirmed his identity and arrested him from Patuakhali on Tuesday night. A total of nine suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the killing.
"Following the incident, the in-charge of Chawkbazar police outpost, Sarwar, detained two suspects-Mahbub and Mohin-from the scene. Based on witness accounts and CCTV footage, seven more suspects were later arrested."
Rezwan Uddin Abhi, is the son of Manoranjan Basu and Beauty Deb Milla and is a converted Muslim.
He also said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects, and all those involved will be brought to justice and given exemplary punishment.
"Anyone may have political affiliations. A citizen can be associated with any political party, but this incident was not politically motivated." He also confirmed that Sohag had earlier operated under political protection during the Awami League regime, using his connections with former commissioner Pillu, a nephew of lawmaker Haji Selim.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com