2 youths arrested in Barishal for killing friend for drug money

Police have arrested two youths in Barishal for allegedly killing their friend in a premeditated manner for drug money and later hiding the body in a pond.

The decomposed body of Hasan Pyada, 30, was recovered on 5 April from an abandoned pond covered with water hyacinths in the Baghia area of Barishal. He was the son of Khokon Pyada from Bakshier Char in the city's Lakutia area.

Police identified the arrestees as Sakib Sardar, 20, and Munna Hawlader, 21. 

"We have recovered the murder weapon and the victim's mobile phone from the locations identified by the accused during interrogation," said Barishal Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jakir Hossain Sikder.

The two accused have been sent to jail following a court appearance, police confirmed.

Acting on a call made to the emergency helpline 999, police from the Metropolitan Airport and Kaunia police stations jointly recovered the body from the pond, located near the border of the two police station jurisdictions.

According to the investigation, Hasan was known to both Sakib and Munna, and the three were often seen together. They reportedly used to take drugs together regularly.

On the night of 2 April, around 10pm, the three went to a garden owned by Shahjahan Hawlader in the area with the intention of smoking and taking drugs. When Sakib and Munna realised they had no money, they allegedly conspired to kill Hasan and steal his belongings to buy drugs.

Sakib held Hasan's legs while Munna used his waist belt to strangle him. After confirming his death, they took Hasan's mobile phone and money from his pockets, police said. 

They then hid the body in Shahjahan's abandoned pond under the water hyacinths and discarded the sandals and the belt used in the murder in a nearby ditch.