'7 murdered On Cargo Vessel In Meghna Was Planned'

Seven people were killed in an attack by criminals on the MV Al Bakhera ship anchored in the Meghna River at Harina Ferry Ghat in Chandpur. The incident occurred on Monday (December 23) around 3 PM, when five people were killed, and three others were critically injured. The injured were later taken to the hospital, where two succumbed to their injuries. Jewel Rana, aged 35, the only survivor, was unable to speak due to a cut in his windpipe and communicated by writing on paper.

The identities of six of the seven victims have been confirmed. They include the ship’s master Golam Kibria (65) and his nephew Laskar Shobuj Sheikh (26), both from Gerda Union in Faridpur, as well as the driver Salauddin, and crew members Aminul, Azizul, and Majedul.

Chandpur’s Additional Police Superintendent, Sudipta Roy, stated that initial investigations do not suggest a robbery, and they believe it to be a planned murder since items like mobile phones, wallets, and other belongings were found intact at the scene.

However, local workers reported that similar incidents of extortion, terrorism, robbery, and worker abuse often occur on moving sand transport vessels in various parts of the Meghna River, under the guise of illegal sand mining. Just the previous Sunday, criminals had attacked several sand transport vessels, beating up the workers.

The ship owner, Diplu Rana, expressed uncertainty about the motive behind the killings, stating that the police would be able to uncover the truth. He mentioned his last communication with the ship’s master on Sunday night, and attempts to contact the crew the following morning went unanswered. Later, he informed the crew of another vessel, Mugni-3, which was near Al Bakhera. Upon reaching the scene, they discovered the bodies and alerted the authorities.

Mohammad Bacchu Mia, the captain of Mugni-3, said that upon receiving a call from the owner, he approached the MV Al Bakhera and tried to contact his nephew, Jewel. When no response came, he informed the owner, who instructed him to investigate further. Upon reaching the ship, Bacchu Mia’s crew found five bodies and three critically injured individuals. They immediately contacted the police.

Chandpur Naval Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) AKM Iqbal confirmed that they tried to communicate with Jewel, but he could not speak. He only wrote down his name and a mobile number on a piece of paper.