Human chains demand arrest, capital punishment of killers

Human chains were formed in Debiganj of Panchagarh and at Thakurgaon intersection yesterday, demanding immediate arrest and capital punishment of the killers of Hindu priest Jogeswar Dasadhikari, 50.

In Debiganj, students and teachers of Debiganj Degree College joined a human chain in front of their college at noon. Addressing a rally at the venue, the speakers strongly condemned the murder and demanded arrest of the culprits involved.. They urged the government to try the killers in a special tribunal.

College Principal Anisur Rahman, Vice-principal Umapati Roy, and Assistant Prof Nasir Uddin Chowdhury spoke.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) formed a human chain at Thakurgaon intersection, demanding immediate arrest and capital punishment of the killers of priest Jogeswar Dasadhikari. They also demanded that the government ensure security of Hindus across the country.

Unidentified assailants swooped on Jogeswar Dasadhikari, priest of Sri Sri Sonto Gaurio temple at Sonapota village in Dibiganj upazila of Panchagarh district around 6:30am on Sunday.

They hacked him indiscriminately in front of the temple, chased him to a house in the backyard and slit his throat. He died on the spot.

The gang fled the scene firing gunshots and exploding bombs that left two devotees-- Gopal Chandra Roy, 35, and Nitai Das--injured.

Rabindranath Roy, victim's elder brother, filed a murder case with of Debiganj Police Station, accusing three unnamed people.

After filing of the case, police arrested Babul Hossain, 31, from Dandapal village in the upazila, and Jahangir Hossain, 30, and Khalilur Rahman, from Panchagarh Sadar upazila, suspecting their involvement in the killing.

Police produced the arrestees before a court on Tuesday that placed them on a 10-day remand.