3 ‘Boro Sazzad’ associates arrested in Ctg, firearms recovered including looted from police
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects also said the three recovered weapons had been used in the Chandannpura shooting incident, which will be confirmed through ballistic tests.
Police have arrested three associates of the top criminal "Boro Sazzad" group and recovered foreign firearms and ammunition during separate raids across the Chattogram city.
The arrests were made early Tuesday (10 March) during drives in the Chawkbazar, Panchlaish, Bayezid Bostami and Khulshi areas, police said at a press briefing held at the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) media centre at 10pm.
Chawkbazar police first arrested Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury, also known as Rimon Imon.
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Based on his confession, police recovered a foreign-made .32 bore revolver and nine rounds of bullets from the Chawkbazar area. Police later confirmed that the weapon had been looted from CMP's Pahartali Police Station.
Police said Rimon Imon is a fugitive, sentenced to life imprisonment in the Bahaddarhat eight-murder case and an associate of the "Boro Sazzad" group.
Following information provided by him, Panchlaish police conducted another raid and arrested another associate named Monir along with a Brazilian Taurus (9mm) pistol and a motorcycle.
Police confirmed that the pistol had been looted from CMP's Double Mooring Police Station.
Later, based on Monir's information, police arrested his associate Sayem from the Bayezid Bostami area.
According to his lead, an SMG, two magazines and 50 rounds of bullets were recovered from the Khulshi area.
During preliminary interrogation, police learned that the recovered SMG and bullets had been collected from an armed hill group in Khagrachhari.
Police said Monir and Sayem are accused in a total of ten cases including murder, robbery, extortion and violations of the Arms Act, and are active members of the "Boro Sazzad" group.
Investigators also recovered a video clip from Rimon Imon showing an oath-taking ceremony of new members of the group. According to police, the group's members have been carrying out killings, robberies, extortion and armed activities to control sand quarries under the direction of "Boro Sazzad" alias Sazzad Ali.
Police also said three top members of the group allegedly involved in a recent shooting targeting the house of a prominent businessman in Chandannpura under Chawkbazar Police Station have been arrested.
Police said, Rimon Imon is the main planner and coordinator of the attack.
During interrogation, the suspects said the shooting at the businessman's house was carried out after the group failed to receive the expected amount of extortion money.
Police further said "Boro Sazzad" used to make new recruits take an oath while holding the Quran, pledging loyalty to him. During the ceremony, a trusted member of the group would act as a guarantor to ensure loyalty to the organisation, allowing the group to gradually expand its membership.
According to police, several top members of the "Boro Sazzad" group are currently staying in Dubai, and the process to issue Interpol red notices against them has already begun.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects also said the three recovered weapons had been used in the Chandannpura shooting incident, which will be confirmed through ballistic tests.
The CMP said operations are ongoing to arrest other associates of the group and recover more weapons.
