Aziz Al Zaman, Rangpur: The Rangpur Bar Association has announced that its members will not provide legal defence for the two men detained in connection with the killing of four members of the same family in Machuapara, Rangpur, calling for exemplary punishment if they are found guilty.The announcement came as police continued their investigation into the shocking August 21 killings that claimed the lives of teacher Ganapati Chakraborty, his wife, their daughter and their fifth-grade son Priyam.The two detainees have been identified as Siddhartha Das, 19, and Mugdha Das, 23. Police said preliminary questioning indicated that the two had admitted involvement in the killings. However, the investigation is still under way, and their guilt will ultimately have to be established through due legal process.Following the killings, several teams of the Rangpur Metropolitan Police began working to identify those responsible and uncover the motive behind the crime.Police said information gathered through intelligence sources, manual surveillance and analysis of various data led investigators to suspect Siddhartha and Mugdha.Siddhartha was detained from his uncle's residence, police said.Police later went to Mugdha's home to detain him, but he allegedly escaped by breaking through a tin fence. A team of detectives chased him and detained him after an operation lasting about an hour in the Tutpara area.According to police, the two men told investigators during preliminary questioning that they had gone to the second floor of Ganapati Chakraborty's house on the morning of the killings to take drugs.Police said they also suspect that the men may have intended to steal valuables from the house. Investigators are working to establish the exact motive.According to information obtained during preliminary questioning, the two suspects were consuming yaba when Ganapati Chakraborty reportedly saw them.Police said the detainees claimed they feared that their presence and drug use would be exposed and allegedly strangled the teacher with a towel around his neck. His body was then reportedly covered with sheets of tin kept on the roof.Hearing the noise, Ganapati's wife and daughter allegedly came upstairs. Police said the suspects told investigators that the two women were then strangled with a scarf or rope on the staircase.The suspects allegedly searched different parts of the house and attempted to take valuables. At one point, according to the preliminary account provided by police, Ganapati's fifth-grade son Priyam was also killed in his bedroom in a similar manner. Police said they are continuing operations to recover the alleged murder weapons or materials used in the killings, stolen property and other important evidence based on information provided by the detainees. Investigators have also reported recovering various pieces of evidence and valuables, including items associated with the alleged theft.The Rangpur Bar Association announced on Saturday that it would not provide legal representation to the accused in the sensational case. The announcement was made at a press conference by Bar Association General Secretary Advocate Aftab Uddin and President Advocate Sahed Kamal Ibn Khatib. Aftab Uddin said the decision had been taken primarily to send a strong message against such brutal crimes and to ensure exemplary punishment if the allegations are proved. “Every accused and every party in a case has the right to legal assistance. But looking at the humanitarian aspect, we cannot reduce crime by ignoring such brutality,” he said. He said the killing of four members of one family had effectively destroyed an entire family and was unacceptable. “We are lawyers. We do not stand in court simply to fight cases for money. We stand for the establishment of justice and the distinction between right and wrong,” Aftab Uddin said. He added that the association wanted to play an effective role in ensuring punishment for those responsible. At the same time, the Bar Association made it clear that its position would not override the findings of the investigation. “We assure the family that suffered the four deaths that we will provide all necessary legal assistance so that they receive a fair trial,” Aftab Uddin said. He added that the investigation remained ongoing and that new information could emerge. “If subsequent evidence shows that the detained persons are innocent, we have also said that we will provide them with legal assistance,” he said.The leaders of the Rangpur Bar Association also urged all concerned not to turn the four killings into a political issue. They appealed to the public to remain alert so that the investigation and trial could proceed properly. They also warned against rumours, communal rhetoric and provocative statements surrounding the incident. According to the Bar Association leaders, the detainees have allegedly admitted involvement during questioning and some property has been recovered. They urged anyone possessing relevant information or evidence to hand it over to the police to help establish the truth.Rangpur City Corporation Administrator Mahfuz Un Nabi Don described the Machuapara killings as “extremely tragic and alarming”. He said preventing crime was not solely the responsibility of law enforcement agencies and that ordinary citizens also had an important role to play. “Everyone must come forward to uncover the truth. We all have to remain vigilant against injustice,” he said. The city administrator urged people to inform law enforcement authorities whenever they have credible information about a crime or criminal activity. He said bringing those responsible for such crimes under exemplary legal action could send a positive message to society and strengthen efforts to prevent crime. “Everyone must work together to establish the rule of law and ensure the safety of the people,” Mahfuz Un Nabi Don said. He also stressed the need to increase social awareness and cooperation to prevent similar incidents in the future.Police said the investigation into the killings remains ongoing and that efforts are continuing to determine the full circumstances of the crime, establish the exact motive and bring all those responsible to justice. While the preliminary statements attributed to the detainees have provided investigators with important leads, the final truth of the case will depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation and the subsequent judicial process.  Authorities and local community leaders have urged the public to avoid speculation and communal or political provocation and instead cooperate with investigators so that the families of the victims can receive justice.