Journalist Lutzzaman Alif was assassinated in Netrokona’s Durgapur by Tajul Islam, who masterminded the entire plot and actively participated in the execution alongside four others, according to police. The details emerged from the confessional statements of two arrested suspects under Section 164.
 
On Sunday afternoon (November 1), Senior Judicial Magistrate Nurul Amin Bhuiyan of the Durgapur Chowki Court recorded the confessions of the arrested suspects, Imran Islam alias Emon (24) and Sabbir Ahmed (25). The proceedings began at 3:45 PM and concluded at 7:00 PM, after which the court ordered them to be sent to jail.
 
Durgapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khandaker Shaker Ahmed stated that, according to the suspects' statements, Alif had a prior dispute with Tajul. Alif used to gather information regarding Tajul’s various businesses and activities in the border area, obstruct his operations, and pass intelligence to law enforcement agencies. This fueled deep resentment among Tajul and his associates, leading to the murder plot.
 
The OC added that five individuals directly participated in the assassination. The perpetrators worked as Tajul’s associates and operated businesses in the border region. Tajul himself was present at the scene during the killing and fled only after locals began gathering following confirmation of Alif’s death.
 
While the statements have implicated several others besides Tajul, police have withheld their identities in the interest of the investigation to ensure the apprehension of all involved.
 
According to police records, Tajul faces at least 13 criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, arms, narcotics, explosives, abduction, extortion, robbery, and theft. His gang is also accused of involvement in border-centric smuggling and operating a local terrorist syndicate.
 
The victim's wife, Anandita Sangma, earlier revealed that Alif had provided intelligence regarding Tajul's smuggling and weapons cache to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), leading to Tajul's arrest approximately four years ago.
 
In late October, OC Khandaker Shaker Ahmed noted that Alif had published photos and videos of Tajul’s residence on social media. Suspecting that Alif tipped off law enforcement about his possession of illegal firearms, Tajul held a grudge that had previously resulted in attacks on the journalist.
 
Lutzzaman Alif, a Netrokona correspondent for Channel Ruposhi Bangla and administrator of the investigative Facebook page Detective Article, was shot and killed on the night of October 15 near Telonjia area of Utrail Bazar on the Shyamganj-Birishiri road in Durgapur upazila.
 
Following the murder, Alif’s wife filed a murder case at Durgapur Police Station naming eight unidentified suspects.
 
On Saturday dawn, a district Detective Branch (DB) police team arrested Imran and Sabbir from Dhanpur Bazar area in Sunamganj’s Bishwamvarpur upazila, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to four. Previously, Sajibul Islam alias Apurba was arrested on October 18, and Ashikur Rahman alias Prangan on October 20.
 
Meanwhile, following her husband's tragic death, Anandita Sangma—who faced severe financial uncertainty—has secured employment at a private hospital in Dhanamondi, Dhaka, through the initiative of local Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad, Kaiser Kamal.
 
Expressing her grief and demands, Anandita Sangma said, "After the news was published in the media, a woman called me to offer help and requested my bank account details, and many others have assured support. With employment secured, I do not need financial assistance from others for now."
 
She added, "I have only one demand: shooter Shamim and every single accused involved in this murder must be arrested swiftly, and exemplary punishment must be ensured. I want to see with my own eyes those who made me a widow; I want them hanged."
 
Netrokona Superintendent of Police Tarikul Islam stated, "The investigation has progressed significantly, and we have confirmed the identities of all involved. We hope to arrest them and bring them under the law very soon, after which details will be shared through a press conference."