SAVAR: Armed robbers killed three passengers and injured 10 others during a daring dacoity in a bus on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway on Friday night.

Meanwhile, police held three persons as suspects in connection with the robbery. They are bus driver Bazlul Haq, Rana of Savar and Babu Mia of Munshiganj district.

The deceased were identified as Russell Mia, 28, supervisor of the bus, and passengers Akkas Ali, 30, and Rana, 30.

Police said a gang of armed robbers swooped on a Manikganj-bound passenger bus of Shuvo Jatra Paribahan while it was crossing Kalampur of Dhamrai on the outskirts of the capital at about 11pm.

The highwaymen first hacked Russell and threw him onto the road from the bus as he screamed for help. He died on the spot.

The gang also hacked some 10-12 passengers with sharp weapons and looted cash and kind from the passengers during the midnight foray.

Of them, Akkas died at Enam Medical College Hospital and Rana at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Dhamrai thana OC Alamgir Hossain said the three were held for interrogation.
Assistant police super Monwar Hossain of Savar Circle said, “We’re trying to capture the other gang members.”

A murder case was filed with Dhamrai thana.

Manikganj Correspondent of banglanews24.com.bd adds: Angered by the incident and the arrest of the bus driver, transport workers put barricades on the highway, disrupting traffic on the busy route for one and a half hours.

They removed the roadblocks after the driver was set free.

BDST: 1200 HRS, AUG 21, 2010