New Dhaka Times: Desk Report
In Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar district in northeastern Bangladesh, a tragic family dispute over land ended in the brutal death of two nieces at the hands of their uncle. The mother of the deceased sisters was also seriously injured in the same incident. This heartbreaking event occurred on Tuesday (local time) afternoon in Katalbari village of Islampur union under Kamalganj upazila.
The deceased were identified as Sarmin Begum and Masuma Begum, daughters of local resident Abu Mia. Their mother, Hajera Begum, was critically injured in the attack and has been transferred to Sylhet for advanced medical treatment.
According to locals and police, a long-standing dispute existed between two brothers—Abu Mia and Masuk Ali—over ancestral land in Katalbari village. On Tuesday afternoon, Abu Mia’s two daughters were ploughing land west of Masuk Ali’s house in South Katalbari. At that time, Masuk Ali arrived at the scene, objected to the ploughing, and during an argument, launched a sudden attack with a sharp weapon.
Eyewitnesses reported that within moments, he hacked all three victims and fled the scene. Locals rushed the injured to Kamalganj Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared the two sisters dead. Their mother was referred to a hospital in Sylhet due to her critical condition.
Immediately after the incident, the accused Masuk Ali fled the area. Police have not yet been able to arrest him.
Kamalganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Zafar Mohammad Kabir said, “This tragic murder occurred due to a family conflict over land. The bodies of the victims are at the hospital, and legal procedures are underway. Efforts to arrest the accused are ongoing.”