'Arman-Shahrukh' group leader arrested over Keraniganj salon killing

Special Response Battalion-2 (SRB-2) has arrested Sabuj Hossain Arman, 21, an alleged leader of the 'Arman-Shahrukh' group and the third accused named in the case over the killing of a member of the 'Patali group' at a salon in Keraniganj.

Acting on intelligence, SRB-2 arrested Arman in the Buddhijibi 1 Road area under Mohammadpur Police Station early today (28 September). A samurai knife allegedly used in the killing was recovered from him.

A search of his rented home recovered four more samurais. Based on information provided by Arman, SRB-2 also searched a temporary tin shed housing road workers in Mohammadpur's Katasur area and recovered a foreign-made pistol and a magazine.

SRB-2 Commander Additional DIG Naymul Hasan disclosed the information at a press conference at the force's media centre in Karwan Bazar this afternoon.

He said Arman and several others entered a salon in Arshinagar, Keraniganj Model Police Station area, on 15 September, fired indiscriminately and hacked Farhad, a member of the 'Patali group', with a machete. Farhad was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Farhad's mother, Nasima Begum, filed a murder case with Keraniganj Model Police Station on 16 September. Naymul said drives are underway to arrest the other accused based on information provided by Arman.

Asked where Arman had been hiding, Naymul said he had remained in Dhaka, moving between different locations and staying nearby. He said Arman would be questioned about the motive for the killing.

Mohammadpur Police Station has filed five cases against Arman for rioting, theft, attempted murder, and intimidation, and law enforcement agencies have arrested him multiple times. Naymul also said Shahrukh, another leader of the Arman-Shahrukh group, was arrested on 16 August.

Asked why Arman had repeatedly secured release through legal loopholes, Naymul said, "We expect that this time he will not be able to get out through legal loopholes."

No 'shortcut solution' to eliminate juvenile gangs

Naymul said law enforcement agencies are working to identify the masterminds behind juvenile gangs and disrupt their activities, rather than merely arresting members.

"Arresting the leaders or key members of juvenile gangs weakens the groups. Arresting them is part of our law enforcement strategy. If you want a shortcut solution, that would be wrong," he said.

The force is also working to prevent such groups from emerging and stop their activities, he said, adding that SRB-2's research and development cell is studying the issue.

The cell will soon identify the factors behind the activities of such criminal groups and develop a broader plan to address them, Naymul said.