TDS Desk

The Rapid Action Battalion has arrested a suspect in the murder of seven people on the cargo vessel MV Al Bakhera, which was carrying fertilizer on the Meghna River in Chandpur’s Haimchar upazila.

Members of RAB-11 had arrested Akash Mondol, also known as Irfan, in Chitalmari upazila of Bagerhat, the force confirmed on Wednesday.

RAB-11 said it would provide further details regarding the case during a briefing at noon.

Ship owner Mahabub Morshed filed a case at Haimchar police station on Tuesday night against “unidentified robbers” over the murders.

He specifically mentioned a man named Irfan as the ninth individual aboard, based on handwritten information provided by injured crew member Jewel.

Jewel also indicated, through gestures, that he would be able to recognize the robbers if he saw them.

According to the case documents, seven individuals were killed and one was injured in the attack.

The deceased were master Golam Kibria, greaser Sajibul Islam, lascar Majedul Islam, Sheikh Sabuj, Aminur Munshi, engine driver Salauddin and cook Rana Kazi.

The injured, sukani Jewel, 28, hails from Faridpur Sadar upazila.

During an inspection of the vessel, police recovered a bloodstained Chinese axe, a folding knife, two smartphones, two feature phones, a wallet, cash amounting to Tk8,000, a notebook, a seal, a headphone, a handful of rice and a tablespoon with curry, as stated in the case report.

The River Police said Jewel was undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital under security.

The bodies of the seven victims were handed over to their families on Tuesday afternoon by Deputy Commissioner Mohsin Uddin and River Police Superintendent Syed Moshfiqur Rahman.

The district administration provided Tk20,000 in financial aid to each family, while the River Police offered Tk10,000 in cash.

The River Police on Monday afternoon reported the discovery of five bodies on board MV Al Bakhera.

Two more victims died that day at Chandpur General Hospital after three were rushed there in critical condition.