Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Boat workers have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government demanding the arrest of those involved in the killing of seven crew members aboard the fertilizer-laden vessel MV Al-Bakhera in the Meghna River in Haimchar upazila of Chandpur.
Harunur Rashid, an executive member of the Bangladesh Launch Labour Association and president of the Dhaka-Chandpur Launch Labour Association, made the announcement on Tuesday, saying if the perpetrators are not arrested within this period, they will initiate a nationwide shutdown of waterways from midnight on Thursday.
In the morning, boat workers staged demonstrations in Chandpur's launch terminal area.
Expressing anger, Harunur Rashid said: “Seven of our colleagues have been killed, and one is fighting for his life. We demand immediate arrests and a proper investigation. The families of the deceased should receive Tk20 lakh in compensation, and the criminals must be brought to justice.”
He emphasized that they do not want to destabilize the government but warned of continued nationwide protests if their demands are not met.
Chandpur river police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) AKMS Iqbal said: “We sympathize with the families of the deceased, and the bodies will be handed over to their families today after post-mortem examinations. We encourage the families to file cases, and we will provide full support."
Enhanced patrols are in place on the waterways, and various agencies are working to unravel this mystery, he added.
The coast guard and River Police recovered the bodies on Monday afternoon after locating the vessel at a char in the Meghna River.
The deceased include Golam Kibria, the ship's master, engine driver Salauddin, Sukani Aminul Munsi, greaser Sheikh Sabuj, and crew members Majedul Islam, Sajibul Islam and Rana.
Chandpur River Police Superintendent (SP) Syed Mushfiqur Rahman said the murders occurred early on Sunday, between 1am and 2am, though authorities were informed around 2pm the same day.
“This appears to be a premeditated act, as all the victims were found in their rooms with head injuries and no other apparent wounds,” he added.
The SP ruled out robbery as a motive, noting that the cargo, consisting of several crores worth of fertilizer, was untouched.
“This is unlikely a robbery. The culprits might have had a different target. Our teams, including the coast guard, CID, and PBI, are working on the investigation. The deceased’s mobile phones are in our custody, and forensic evidence has been collected,” he said.
Haimchar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Umme Salma Nazneen Trisha said the incident came to light after a man named Tariqul called the national emergency service (999). The vessel's owner had reportedly lost contact with the crew since Sunday night.
Staff members from another ship under the same ownership found MV Al-Bakhera at Mazhirghat in Ishanbala on Monday afternoon, where they discovered the bodies.
“The bodies were lying as if they were asleep, wrapped in blankets and shawls. However, all had head injuries, suggesting they were bludgeoned to death. Three others were found injured. The River Police and coast guard were dispatched to the scene,” UNO Trisha added.
