9 arrested over Islami Jubo Andolan leader's murder in Narayanganj

Police have arrested nine people, including alleged juvenile gang leader Sheikh Sifat, in connection with the murder of Islami Jubo Andolan leader Jahid Hasan Bulbul in Narayanganj's Bandar today (21 August).

Three women, identified as associates of Sifat, are also among those arrested.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Tarek Al Mehedi confirmed the arrests at around 1pm.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Sheikh Sifat, Ifran, Jummon, Mahfuz, Riyad and Siam. Police have not disclosed the names or identities of the three women.

Bulbul was attacked with sharp weapons at around 10pm last night in the Salehnagar area of Bandar. Locals rescued him and took him to Narayanganj Victoria General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to his family, a local group led by Sifat had looted Bulbul's rickshaw garage after 5 August 2024. Bulbul subsequently filed a case with Bandar Police Station, naming Sifat as the prime accused.

The family alleged that Bulbul had been repeatedly threatened to withdraw the case. Last night, Sifat and his associates allegedly confronted Bulbul in Salehnagar and pressured him to withdraw the case.

An argument followed, after which the attackers allegedly hacked him with sharp weapons and fled.

Following the killing, Islami Andolan activists took to the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in the Madanpur area around 10am today, setting tyres on fire and blocking traffic.

They demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of everyone involved in the killing.

The protesters withdrew from the highway around 10:45am after police requested them to leave, though the blockade had caused significant traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, police said they have arrested Sifat, the prime accused, in connection with the murder.

Bandar Police Station OC Jamal Hossain said Sifat was arrested and operations were underway to identify others involved.