The arrestees are Abdus Salam, Abdul Hannan and Zahidul Islam and the leaders picked up are Hemayet Uddin Himu and Abdur Rahman -- all from Atrai upazila.

Police authorities in Naogaon have also asked the Detective Branch to investigate incidents of JMJB cadres' repression on women at Siddikia Madrassah camp at Bhiti village in Raninagar upazila.

Naogaon Superintendent of Police Fazlur Rahman said the arrestees are accused of torturing outlaws that surrendered at Bhiti camp.

About the two JMJB leaders, he said they will be quizzed as part of the efforts to nab operations commander of the militant outfit Bangla Bhai and then released.

Sources in Naogaon however said there are allegations of women repression against the leaders. At least a dozen women from different villages were taken to Bhiti camp and tortured to give the whereabouts of their husbands, whom the JMJB identified as outlaws, they mentioned.

Hemayet, also a former outlaw, allegedly played a major role in JMJB operations in Naogaon. He was also allegedly involved with the murders of Awami League leader Idris Ali Khejur, whose body was found near Bhiti camp on May 28, and Badsha, whose body was found hanging from a tree at Gabtali in Bogra on May 19.

Locals said Hemayet was also the chief of Atgram JMJB camp, which conducted extortion in Naogaon villages. His accomplices included Abdus Salam, Humayun, Abul Master and Habibur Rahman. They used to collect money from villagers on the plea of buying arms for resisting outlaws.

Sources said JMJB operatives are still living in different villages, helped by their local leaders. "Many JMJB cadres offered Juma prayers at Bhabanipur mosque on Friday and one of the Bangla Bhai associates declared after the prayers that JMJB operation will begin from June 1 in a new style", one source said.

Journalists met three women at Naidighi village in Atrai after their release from Bhiti camp on May 23. They had fled their own village Sharia fearing further harassment by JMJB cadres.

All the three had marks of torture and said 15 women were taken to Bhiti camp and tortured.

Meanwhile, reports received here said three outlaws were arrested from Gaibandha yesterday in connection with the killing of two JMJB operatives at Sharia village in Atrai of Naogaon on May 17.

The arrestees are Faruk, Emran and Emran's father Abdur Rahman.

"The arrested persons are accused in the case of double murder in Sharia village," said Rajshahi Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Muhammad.

The outlaws slaughtered JMJB operatives Abdur Rashid and Nazrul Fakir inside a mosque, injured six others and set three houses on fire in Sharia village.

The incident followed killing of five outlaws in the northwestern region since April 1 in vigilante attacks blamed on the JMJB.