Dispute over cattle market lease may be behind Titon’s murder: DB
“We are verifying who was involved and will take legal action accordingly,” says police
A dispute over control of a cattle market lease appears to be behind the killing of top-listed criminal Khandaker Naim Ahmed alias Titon in the capital's New Market yesterday (28 April), the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police said.
Speaking at a press briefing at the headquarters of DMP today (29 April), DB Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said drives are underway to arrest those involved in the killing.
"As you know, Titon himself was also a top criminal. We believe this killing primarily stemmed from a dispute over control of a cattle market lease. We are investigating who was involved, gathering information, and action will be taken against those responsible," he said.
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Responding to a question about named suspects in the case, including individuals linked to a dispute over the Bosila cattle market lease, he said police are following the case statement and examining all leads.
"With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, disputes over cattle markets have intensified. We are verifying who was involved and will take legal action accordingly," he added.
Asked whether similar incidents could occur over cattle market leases, the DB official said intelligence gathering and surveillance would be strengthened to prevent any untoward incidents.
On the possibility of instructions coming from abroad, he said authorities would investigate any such links and seek assistance through Interpol if necessary.
Earlier, the incident took place around 7:45pm yesterday (28 April) in front of Shahnewaz Student Dormitory near the banyan tree area of University of Dhaka. Assailants opened fire indiscriminately at Titon, shooting him at close range. He collapsed on the spot and died instantly.
The 51-year-old Titon was ranked second on the government's list of 23 top criminals declared in 2001. After serving a long prison term, he was released on bail last August. Just a few months after his release, this dramatic, film-style murder has once again stirred the underworld in Dhaka.
