In a shocking incident in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka municipality, a garment factory worker discovered his wife and two young children brutally murdered in their home early Monday morning. The victims were identified as Moyna Begum (25), daughter Raisa Akter (7), and son Nirab (2).
Rafiqul Islam, the husband and father of the victims, returned home after a night shift to find the door to his rented house in the T&T Road area locked from the outside. Upon breaking in, he was devastated to find the bloodied bodies of his family members.
The primary suspect is Rafiqul’s younger brother, Nazrul Islam, who lived in an adjacent room.
Nazrul is currently on the run. Police recovered a blood-stained machete from under his bed and suspect his involvement in the killings.
Speaking to the media at the Bhaluka police station, Rafiqul said he had last spoken to his wife around 10 PM the previous night, using Nazrul’s phone.
“I borrowed Tk 40,000 to bail my brother out of jail, where he had been serving time for a murder case. He used to earn a small income driving a rickshaw. I was already struggling to support my family, but tried to keep him close. I can’t believe the same brother destroyed my family,” he said in anguish.
Neighbours, including a tenant named Shomona Khatun, who works as a cook in a local institution, expressed horror at the killings.
“I was home last night, but due to the rain, I didn’t hear anything. I’ve never seen such a brutal crime in my life,” she said.
When reporters visited the scene, a large crowd had gathered. Moyna’s elder sister, Nazma Akter, broke down in tears.
“He killed my sister, my niece, and my nephew. We grew up with hardship after losing our father early. We suspect it was her brother-in-law. We want the death penalty for him,” she cried.
Police revealed that Nazrul had previously served over two years in jail in a murder case in Joydebpur, Gazipur, and was released on bail just two and a half months ago. Rafiqul had arranged the bail by borrowing money.
Since then, Nazrul had been living with Rafiqul and driving an auto-rickshaw. He reportedly sold his mobile phone to a local resident around 8 AM on Monday before fleeing. Police have since recovered the phone.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Gafargaon Circle) Montosh Biswas confirmed that all three victims had their throats slit.
“The weapon used in the killing has been recovered. It appears to be a case of family dispute turned deadly. We suspect the brother-in-law’s involvement and are actively searching for him. Necessary legal steps are being taken,” he added.
