Mother and niece killed for preventing suicide
Imon (left), a suspect in the murder of a woman and her niece in Debidwar, and a crowd of locals at the scene. Photo: Agamir Somoy
Police and locals reported that the young man suspected of killing his mother and niece in Debidwar, Cumilla, is mentally and physically ill. It is believed that he attacked his own family after they prevented him from committing suicide.
The bodies of Peara Begum (62) and her eight-month-old granddaughter Ishrat Jahan were recovered on Monday morning from their home in the Masterbari area of Barashalghar South Para, under the same upazila. Ishrat's mother, Rabeya Begum, was found injured.
Locals detained Peara's son, Md. Imon, inside the house under suspicion of being the killer. Police later took him into custody. Neighbors also mentioned that Imon is mentally unstable.
A local resident, Md. Shamim Ahsan, said that upon hearing screams in the morning, he and nearby residents rushed to the house. Finding two bodies inside, they locked Imon in the room.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Debidwar Police Station, Md. Moniruzzaman, said Peara Begum and Rabeya Begum were hacked with sharp weapons, while the infant Ishrat was killed by being slammed to the ground.
The injured Rabeya was taken first to the upazila health complex and later transferred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital. Police said her condition remains critical.
Additional Superintendent of Police Pankaj Barua said, "The young man (Imon) was severely ill and attempted committing suicide. When family members intervened, he failed to end his life. We suspect he carried out the attack out of rage from being stopped."
