OUR CORRESPONDENT, Mymensingh

Police have so far arrested 18 people in connection with the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, following allegations of “hurting religious sentiments” on the night of December 18.

Among them, four have given confessional statements before the court.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) of Mymensingh, Abdullah Al Mamun, confirmed the information to The Daily Star.

Police arrested six more people early Thursday in connection with the case. The arrestees are Taqbir, 22; Ruhul Amin, 42; Noor Alam, 33; Shamim Mia, 28; Selim Mia, 22; and Masum Khalasi, 22.

They were produced before a Mymensingh court on Thursday afternoon with a prayer for five days’ remand. The court fixed Sunday for hearing the remand prayer and sent them to jail, said Md Abdullah Al Mamun, additional superintendent of police in Mymensingh.

“The arrested individuals allegedly incited factory workers with slogans, spread the incident outside the factory, and pressured Dipu to resign,” the additional superintendent of police said.

Earlier, 12 people were arrested in separate operations conducted by police and RAB on last Saturday and Sunday. The court granted three days’ remand for each of them.

Speaking to The Daily Star, ASP Mamun said after the remand period, six of the 12 accused were produced before the court yesterday, and four gave confessional statements under Section 164.

“They admitted their involvement and provided important information. As the incident is very sensitive, we are closely reviewing the statements,” he said.