Ruling Awami League lawmaker in Natore-2 constituency Shafiqul Islam Shimul yesterday set a 72-hour deadline for police to find out the killers of three Jubo League activists.

"We will shut down the northern region if the law-enforcement agencies fail to find out the killers within 72 hours," he said. The killers must be punished even if they are party men or members of law-enforcement agencies, he added.

He said this at the namaj-e-janaza of the three in the town.

Jubo League men Redwan Sabbir and Abu Abdullah of Natore Sadar upazila's Kanaikhali area and Sohel Rana of Rothbari were allegedly picked up by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) from Tokia Bazar in the town on Saturday night. They were found dead in Dinajpur on Monday morning.

Sabbir's mother in a general diary alleged that Rab picked up her son when he along with two others was having tea at the bazar.

The Rab denied the allegation.

Earlier on August 12, lawmaker Shimul reportedly snatched away Sabbir, an accused in 12 cases for murder, extortion and drug peddling, from Rab's custody.

Explaining that incident, Shimul yesterday said, "Last year Rab personnel arrested Sabbir at a meeting where I was present. I requested them not to arrest him at my meeting and they set him free."

Commanding Officer (CO) of Rab-5 in Rajshahi Mahbubur Rahman said Rab did not arrest anyone called Sabbir in presence of a lawmaker.

"Rab members went there for an investigation. But a misunderstanding occurred between the MP and the Rab personnel over rumours of Sabbir's arrest," he added.

Abu Bakkar Bakul, vice-president of Natore district unit Swechchhasebak Dal and also uncle of Sabbir, alleged that BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Dulu might be involved in the murder.

Natore district unit Jubo League has meanwhile held a protest rally and marched in a procession in front of Natore Press Club demanding arrest and punishment of the killers.

The three were buried at Natore Central Graveyard yesterday.