Three people, including two local leaders from the Awami League and the BNP, were caught red-handed while they were fleeing with over 2,500 litres of diesel they had just stolen from trains at Azimnagar Rail Station early yesterday, Rab said.

The three are Abdul Awal, 44, president of Ward-2 of Gopalpur municipality AL, Rafiqul Islam, 38, secretary of Ward-2 of Gopalpur municipality BNP, and Mokbul Hossain, 48, of Kalupara village in Lalpur upazila.

ASP Azmal Hosen, company commander of Rab in Natore, said the trio stole about 2,530 litres of diesel from different trains at the station in the upazila. They were taking the oil in barrels.

On information, a Rab team raided the place and arrested them red-handed. The arrestees and the oil were handed over to Lalpur Police Station, he said. 

Contacted, Nazrul Islam Molam, president of Gopalpur municipality BNP, confirmed Rafiqul's identity.

Aftab Hossain Jhulfu, president of Lalpur AL, said though Awal is a local leader of his party, they were not aware of his involvement in stealing the fuel. “However, we have decided to expel Awal from the party,” he said.

Nazrul Islam Juwel, officer-in-charge of the police station, said a case was filed against the trio. He said they were produced before a Natore court which sent them to jail.

Asked, he said the case document does not indicate the involvement of anyone from the trains or railway officials in the stealing. “We are investigating … we will take action if we find others' link with the incident”.