A 25-year-old man allegedly killed his mother and his eight-month-old niece in a violent attack at a house in Debidwar, Cumilla, on Monday morning. He also seriously injured his sister-in-law when she tried to intervene.
The incident took place at the house of Mostafa Master in the South Para area of Barashalghar village under Barashalghar Union. The accused, identified as Imon, was detained by local residents shortly after the attack and handed over to police.
The deceased have been identified as Imon’s mother, Piara Begum, 65, and his eight-month-old niece, Israat Jahan. Israat was the daughter of Imon’s elder brother. Imon is the son of the late Farid Mia.
According to local residents, Imon worked as a day labourer but had been suffering from physical problems for several months after breaking his leg while playing football. He reportedly remained bedridden for a prolonged period and underwent several operations on the injured leg. Despite treatment, he did not recover as expected.
Residents said Imon had become increasingly distressed over his prolonged illness and had attempted to take his own life. Family members, including his mother, had intervened and prevented those attempts, according to people familiar with the situation.
Police and local residents said that on Monday morning, Imon allegedly attacked his mother with a machete, killing her at the scene. His sister-in-law, Rabeya Akter, 25, reportedly tried to protect her mother-in-law and was also attacked with the weapon.
The assault then took an even more tragic turn. While the attack was taking place, Imon allegedly grabbed his eight-month-old niece Israat Jahan by both legs and slammed her against the ground, killing the child.
Following the incident, local residents rescued Rabeya in a critically injured condition and took her to Debidwar Upazila Health Complex. As her condition deteriorated, doctors referred her to Cumilla Medical College Hospital, where she is now receiving treatment.
The deaths have left the family facing an especially severe tragedy, with Rabeya losing both her mother-in-law and her only child in the same incident. Her condition remains a major concern for relatives as she undergoes treatment.
After being detained, Imon told journalists that he had been suffering from illness for a long time and wanted to die to escape his physical pain. He claimed that he had previously tried to commit suicide but had been prevented by family members. He said he had asked them to kill him and, after they did not, he attacked them instead.
His account is part of the information being considered in the case. The precise circumstances and motive behind the killings will have to be established through the police investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
Israat’s father filed a case at the police station on Monday afternoon, naming his younger brother Imon as the accused. Following the filing of the case, Imon was produced before a court and sent to jail custody.
Debidwar police station Officer-in-Charge Md Moniruzzaman said Imon was sent to jail through the court on Monday afternoon. He also said the bodies of Piara Begum and Israat Jahan were scheduled to undergo post-mortem examinations on Tuesday before being handed over for burial.
The incident has caused shock and grief in the local community. Police are now proceeding with the legal investigation, while the condition of Rabeya Akter remains under medical observation at Cumilla Medical College Hospital.
