DU staff, three others held for supplying chemicals to militants

Detectives in their separate drives arrested a laboratory assistant of Dhaka University (DU) and three other people from different parts of the city on Thursday for their alleged involvement in supplying chemicals to militant groups, reports UNB.
The arrestees are laboratory assistant of DU Soil Science, Water and Environment Department Gazi Md Babul, owner of Asia Scientific shop Ripon Mollah, manager of Western Scientific Company Mohiuddin and owner of FM Chemical and Sons Md Nasir Uddin.
Briefing reporters at the DMP Media Centre on Friday, Joint Commis-sioner of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Monirul Islam said the names of the four came as chemical suppliers during interrogation of several bomb experts of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, Bangladesh (HUJI-B) and Ansarullah Bangla Team, who were arrested on June 7.
During interrogation, the arrested militants revealed that they used to buy chemicals from the arrested people in exchange for money, the Joint Commissioner said.
Following their information, detectives conducted the drives in different areas on Thursday and arrested them, he added.
There are 350 authorised explosives and chemical companies in the city.
According to existing policy, the companies can supply explosives and chemical companies to industries and educational institutions after scrutinising legal documents.
The arrested people said they had been supplying chemicals to the militant groups in exchange for money without verifying their identities as well as legal documents, he said.