9 murders in two months, panic in Raipur
Photo: Agamir Somoy
In Raipur upazila of Lakshmipur, the occurrence of 9 murders within two months has spread extreme anxiety and panic among the local population. These killings have taken place over family disputes, conflicts over drugs, land-related feuds, abductions, and mysterious incidents. The spate of murders has raised questions among local residents about the law and order situation in the upazila.
The most talked-about incident occurred on the morning of June 25. In a rented house on Godown Road in Ward No. 3 of Raipur Municipality, Shahinur Begum (38) and her two daughters were hacked to death. In connection with this incident, the suspect, Antar Majumdar (30), was killed in a mob lynching. This tragic killing of three members of a single family caused widespread outrage across the country.
Earlier, Sagar (32), a tile mason who was seriously injured in a stabbing for opposing drug peddling, died after 18 days into treatment in the ICU of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. His death has raised new questions about the safety of ordinary citizens who participate in social resistance against drugs.
Additionally, in the East Charpata area of Charpata Union in the upazila, a man named Md. Hanif (62) was killed over a land dispute. Around the same time, police recovered the body of a child, Sunny Al Farabi, from a canal in the Nyarhat area of Kerowa Union, a day after he had gone missing.
Elsewhere, in the South Gaiarchar area, Rajib (18), a battery-powered auto-rickshaw driver, was killed after being abducted. The day after his family was demanded a ransom, his body was recovered from a garden. Police reported that there were multiple injury marks on his head.
These murders have heightened security concerns among the general public in Raipur.
Local residents have alleged that while law enforcement agencies become active after crimes are committed, more effective legal measures are needed to prevent offences. They believe that if speedy investigations are concluded and the perpetrators are brought to justice with exemplary punishments, the rate of crime can be brought under control.
In this regard, Raipur Police Station OC Shahin Mia said, "We have taken action as soon as incidents occurred. We have filed cases, arrested suspects, and legal measures are being taken. We have no shortcomings, nor does law enforcement have any weakness. Operations to uncover the mysteries of these incidents and arrest those involved are ongoing."
