In his statement to the police, the main accused Meraj Ahmed confessed to the involvement of police, intelligence officials, journalists, local politicians and even rights workers with his outfit, but the police have only arrested defenseless suspects so far. [break]Police have arrested nine individuals from Indrapur in this connection, while 10 other suspects who are well connected have been enjoying impunity.
Amhed worked as an informant for the National Investigation Department (NID) when the two boys were kidnapped and murdered the students about a month ago. The NID had been paying him a monthly salary of Rs 8,000 for the work, though Ahmed has admitted to receiving a salary of just Rs 4,000 per month.
Police have so far not questioned the NID official who paid Ahmed the salary. Ahmed was hired by NID four years ago by then chief Bikki Adhikari. Adhikari´s successor Ishwarbhakta Shrestha gave continuity to the arrangement. A police source said NID officials were informed about Ahmed´s “most-wanted” status during several meetings of District Security Committee (DSC).
The NID chief is member secretary of the DSC that is headed by Chief District Officer. Apart from Head Constable Sakir Ali Behna, all those arrested following Ahmed´s statement are local villagers.
“Police at least should have interrogated people whose names were given by Ahmed,” said Yagyanidhi Adhikari, uncle of Kapil, one of the murdered boys.
Banke´s police chief Mahesh Bikram Shah said the names given by Ahmed cannot be made public until the case reaches the court of law.
NID Chief Ishwar Bhakta Shrestha, who provided monthly salary to Ahmed, was transferred to Surkhet a week after Ahmed was arrested.
Related story
Thai police seek three more suspects in Bangkok blasts
