Another accused confesses to killing Hindu priest

Another accused in the case for killing Hindu priest Jogeswar Dasadhikari gave confessional statement before the Cognisance Court-2 of Panchagarh yesterday.

Ramzan Ali, 22, son of late Abul Khair of Kilganj in Debiganj upazila was produced before the court around 1:30pm after expiry of the remand period. After recording Ramzan's statement at 5:30pm,  Marzia Khatun, Judge of the Cognisance Court-2 and also Senior Judicial Magistrate of Panchagarh, sent him to jail.

Earlier, the court sent Momin, 33, son of Sirajul Islam of Sabujpara village in Debiganj upazila headquarters, to jail as he gave a confessional statement under Section 164 before the court regarding his involvement in the priest killing.  

Police arrested Momin on March 4 and the same court placed him on an 8-day remand when he was produced before it in connection with the case.   

The court also sent Alamgir Hossain, 35, Khalilur Rahman, 55, Jahangir Hossain, 30, Babul Hossain, 31, and Hares Ali, 35, to jail as they also gave confessional statements.   

Criminals slit the throat of Jogeswar Dasadhikari, 50, a priest of Shri Shri Sonto Gaurio Temple at Debiganj's Sonapota, on February 21. Two devotees were injured as the criminals fired shots and exploded bombs while fleeing.    

Jogeswar's elder brother Rabindranath Roy filed a murder case with Debiganj police, accusing three unknown people on the same day. Mazibar Rahman, sub-inspector of Debiganj Police Station, also filed a case against them for possessing firearms and explosives. 

Police arrested Khalilur Rahman, 55, Babul Hossain, 31, and Jahangir, 30, on February 21 and February 22.

The three were put on a 15-day remand on February 23 in the two cases.

Based on information gleaned from them, police conducted raids on February 25 night and arrested the three 'key suspects,' including Alamgir Hossain, 35, son of Rafiqul lslam of Kamat Para; Ramzan Ali, 22, son of Late Abul Khair of Kilganj Mashjid Para; and Hares Ali, 35, son of Late Mozammel Huque of Kalirdanga Shothapara village.

They also recovered some weapons -- including a Japanese 9mm pistol, a US-made pistol of 7.65 bore, three cocktails, five bullets, three magazines, three knives and a blood-stained machete -- said DIG Humayun Kabir at a press briefing held on Debiganj Police Station premises recently.