Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
The Rapid Action Battalion claims to have uncovered the mystery of the murder of seven crew members of MV Al Bakhera on the Meghna River in Chandpur, saying one of their own was behind the killings.
RAB-11 on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of Akash Mondol, also known as Irfan, the ninth person onboard the cargo vessel, as identified by injured crew member Jewel.
Seven crew members of the cargo ship MV Al Bakhera were brutally murdered on the Meghna River, reportedly after being sedated with a spiked meal.
The River Police and RAB believe this was a premeditated attack. Investigations are underway as officials piece together the events leading to this crime.
On the night of Tuesday, the ship's owner, Mahbub Morshed, filed a case at Haimchar police station against an unknown gang of robbers. According to the case statement, injured crew member Jewel testified that Irfan was the ninth individual aboard the ship.
RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Lieutenant Colonel Monim Ferdous said Irfan, frustrated over prolonged non-payment of wages and mistreatment, killed the ship’s master, Golam Kibria, along with the others.
Irfan worked in the engine room alongside the ship's helmsman.
During initial questioning, Irfan apparently told RAB that he had purchased three strips of sleeping pills from a market in Pabna during a stop to buy supplies for the ship. He mixed the sleeping pills into the crew's food while the cook was unaware, according to RAB.
The crew became unconscious after consuming the food, allowing Irfan to put on gloves and use a Chinese axe, already on the ship for security purposes, to hack the ship master and others to death, RAB said, adding that to conceal the crime, Irfan killed everyone aboard, ensuring no witnesses remained.
RAB said that the ship was anchored mid-river during the killings. After ensuring all were dead, Irfan manoeuvred the ship to the Haimchar area and escaped using another boat.
Meanwhile, the River Police reported that while there is no concrete evidence, observations at the crime scene suggest certain possibilities. All the victims’ bodies were found in their respective sleeping quarters, as if they were peacefully sleeping.
Each had severe head injuries. Normally, a victim would try to defend themselves or scream, alerting others to intervene. However, no such signs were observed in this case. Investigating agencies are considering all angles, the River Police said.
District police, River Police, and the district administration have already formed investigative committees.
Relatives of the victims and workers in the water transport sector have demanded a proper investigation and quick prosecution of the actual perpetrators.
Additionally, they have called for financial assistance of Tk20 lakh per affected family within two days. Otherwise, they have threatened to suspend river transport operations nationwide from midnight on Thursday.
Chandpur River Police Superintendent Syed Mushfiqur Rahman said the victims were found in their sleeping quarters, tucked under blankets as if they were sleeping on a winter night. Each had head injuries.
He remarked that in a typical murder scenario, a victim would attempt to defend themselves, resulting in injuries elsewhere on the body, but here, the injuries were confined to the head.
He explained that in usual robbery cases, the assailants would gather everyone in one room and then loot the valuables. However, here, the seven bodies were found in separate rooms. This suggests that the victims might have been sedated or given sleeping pills.
The officer added that postmortem examinations have been conducted, and the bodies have been handed over to the families. A viscera report is being prepared to confirm the exact cause of death and uncover the motive behind the killings.
Based on their observations, the River Police believe this was a meticulously planned murder.
Earlier, Haimchar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Umme Salma Nazneen Trisha said that upon visiting the ship, a blood-stained Chinese axe was found on the lower floor. The ship, loaded with fertilizer, remained intact, with no signs of robbery. She speculated that the victims might have been attacked in their sleep or possibly killed and then covered with blankets.
She added that the motive—whether robbery or personal conflict—would only become clear after the investigation concludes.
The plaintiff's case mentioned the deaths of seven crew members and one injured individual.
The deceased were master Golam Kibria, greaser Sajibul Islam, sailor Mazedul Islam, Sheikh Sabuj, Aminur Munshi, engine operator Salauddin, and cook Rana Kazi. The injured individual, helmsman Jewel, 28, is from Faridpur Sadar upazila.
