2 held for kidnapping priest

Two people were arrested in connection with abduction of Uttam Kumar Mohanta, a priest in Rangpur's Pirganj upazila, from Rangpur and Gaibandha districts on Saturday.

The arrestees are Mohammad Shahin, 24, and Al-Amin, 23. Shahin was arrested from Kaunia upazila of Rangpur while Al-Amin from Sadullahpur upazila of Gaibandha.

 On June 11, Rangpur police rescued priest Uttam, 50, a resident of Sardarpara village in Pirganj upazila, after he was kidnapped from Gaibandha Railway Station the day before.

One of the gang members phoned Uttam's son Akash Chandra Mohanta and demanded Tk 1.5 lakh for his father's release.

Being informed, Rangpur police raided a house at Karnopur village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, tracking the kidnappers' cellphone locations and rescued Uttam from there.

Police also arrested Anwar Hossain, the house owner, in connection with the abduction.