Sources said villagers caught Omar Faruk from Sakua mosque after Friday prayers after recovering leaflets, booklets and pictures of Osama Bin Laden and monogram of Al Queda from his possession. He was involved in the killing of Awami League (AL) leader Yasin, the villagers alleged.

Earlier on Thursday, police released three other alleged cadres of militant Islamic outfit the JMJB, including the prime suspect in Yasin murder case, reportedly under instructions of a deputy minister.

Bagmara police also recorded a case against villagers and local AL leaders for beating Faruk, a teacher at Sakua Hafezia Madrasa, over 'false accusation' of his involvement in the murder of Yasin.

"Police rescued Faruk while a mob was beating him hanging him with a tree, and villagers did not hand him over to police," investigation officer of Yasin murder case Abu Siddik said trying to justify his release.

"The question of arresting him (Faruk) does not arise as he did not commit any crime...He is imam of a mosque and a hafez (one who memorises the Quran)," Siddik said replying to a query.

But villagers claimed that in presence of police, Faruk admitted his close links to JMJB operations commander Bangla Bhai and also with the accused in Yasin murder case.

Bagmara AL General Secretary Zakirul Islam said leaders and workers of the party and its student front Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and youth wing Awami Jubo League were implicated in the case for beating Faruk. Saiful Islam, Bagmara BCL president, Kajol, organising secretary and AL and Jubo League workers Abu Bakkar, Shamim and Ashraful were named as accused in the case, he mentioned.