Rab-7 today arrested three youths in connection with the killing of a mobile mechanic who was stabbed to death in Chattogram's Enayet Bazar area early Friday.

After arresting the trio, Rab officials said the murder took place over a brawl centring on an unpaid cellphone display repair bill of just Tk 1,500.

The arrestees are Md Sani, 24, his brother Md Yousuf, 35, and Shakil Alam Faisal, 26.

Addressing a press briefing, Lt Col Towhidul Alam, camp commander of Rab-7's Bahaddarhat Camp, said Sani went into hiding at his maternal uncle's residence in Chandanaish upazila. He was arrested from there, while the other two were later detained from Reazuddin Bazar and the Kotwali areas.

"Akash fixed Sani's cellphone display for Tk 1,500. The victim was called to Kasaipara area of Enayet Bazar around Friday midnight to collect the due. An altercation broke out between Akash and Sani over the issue, and at one point, the three men stabbed Akash several times before fleeing," the Rab official said.

During primary interrogation, police found that it was a premeditated murder, he added.

Rab recovered the knife from a drain at Reazuddin Bazar based on information provided by Sani, said the official.

With the latest arrests, four people have been held in this connection. Another was held by Kotowali police shortly after the incident.

Talking to reporters, Akash's father, Bhulu Ghosh, demanded capital punishment for the killers.

Meanwhile, locals of Enayet Bazar formed a human chain this morning, demanding the arrest of the killers and the highest punishment. Traders, businessmen, and local youths joined the event.