Three detained over murder of Gaibandha MP Liton

Police have detained three persons on suspicion of their involvement in the murder of Gaibandha MP Manjurul Islam Liton.

They were arrested from Sundarganj Upazila's Bamondanga area Saturday night, Sundarganj Police Station Inspector Ashraful Islam said.

He, however, declined to reveal the identities of the detainees.

"Several police teams are conducting search operations to arrest the killers. The identities of the detainees and other details about the operation will be revealed later," he added.

Ruling Awami League MP Liton was shot thrice at his home in Sarbananda around 6pm by unidentified gunmen.

Liton's wife said three youths came on a motorbike and shot her husband.

One of his employees, however, said there were five youths but three of them opened fire at him.

Liton died at Rangpur Medical College Hospital at around 7:30pm.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered arrest of the murderers.

Though the law enforcers could not say who carried out the attack, ruling Awami League leaders have pointed fingers at the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Liton, a diploma engineer (marine) by training, was a director of Liton Ananda Group of Industries. This was his first tenure as a member of parliament.

The MP hit the headlines in 2015 after he had allegedly shot a 9-year-old schoolboy in his constituency. He was arrested in the case and later freed on bail.