Tipu murder: Another suspect held

Jahidul Islam Tipu

The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested another suspect in the murders of Awami League leader Jahidul Islam Tipu and college student Samia Afran Jamal Prity.

The suspect -- Abul Hossain Mohammad Arfan Ullah Imam Khan alias Damal -- was arrested in the capital's Dakkhin Kamalapur area around 8:30pm on Thursday, said police.

A foreign-made revolver and two bullets were seized from him, added the law enforcers.

Police filed a case against him under the Arms Act with Motijheel Police Station and placed him before a court with a 10-day remand plea. The court granted one-day remand for interrogation yesterday.

Contacted, DB (Motijheel division) Deputy Commissioner Rifat Rahman Shamim said they sent the firearm for a ballistic test.

"After receiving the report, we'll be able to say if the firearm was used in the murders."

Damal is the younger brother of Ahkam Ullah, general secretary of Abritti Somonnoy Parishad and acting general secretary of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote.

Ahkam said Damal was detached from his family as he had connection with criminals. He was even sent to Vienna, Austria in 2000 for this.

About the double murder, Ahkam said the police investigation would reveal whether Damal was involved.

On March 24, criminals opened fire targeting Tipu's microbus that was stuck in a traffic jam in the Shahjahanpur area. Prity, a student who happened to be on a rickshaw next to the microbus, also got shot.

Tipu and Prity were declared dead after they were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.