Sleeping Farmer’s Throat Slit, Police Investigate

A 55-year-old farmer was brutally killed while sleeping in his own home in Gaibandha’s Fulchhari upazila, in what police believe was a carefully planned late-night attack. Investigators recovered a bloodstained knife from the scene as they launched an investigation into the killing, while family members alleged that the murder stemmed from a long-running family dispute.

The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday (12 July) in South Kanchipara (Majhipara) village under Kanchipara Union.

The victim, Shahjalal, was the son of the late Niamat Ullah. Besides cultivating farmland, he also earned a living by making bamboo products, according to family members.

Relatives have accused Shahjalal’s cousin, Golam Hossain, of carrying out the killing before fleeing the area. Police, however, said they are examining every aspect of the case and have not yet reached a final conclusion regarding the motive or those responsible.

According to local residents and police, Shahjalal had dinner with his family on Saturday night before going to bed. While his wife, Goleda Begum, slept in the main house, Shahjalal chose to sleep in a separate room attached to the tin-roofed veranda, as he usually did.

At around 2:00 a.m., Goleda Begum said she was awakened by her husband’s groans. She rushed to the room and found him lying in a pool of blood with severe injuries to his throat. A knife believed to have been used in the attack was lying beside the body. Her cries for help drew neighbours and relatives to the house, who immediately informed police.

Officers from Fulchhari Police Station arrived shortly afterwards, secured the area and recovered the body for further examination.

Shahjalal’s son, Panju Mia, alleged that the killing was linked to an ongoing family conflict involving his cousin, Golam Hossain.

He claimed that Golam had repeatedly subjected his wife to physical abuse, prompting Shahjalal, as a senior family member, to intervene and protest against the mistreatment. About five months ago, following an alleged assault with a spade, Golam’s wife was reportedly sent to her parental home for her safety. Since then, Panju Mia alleged, Golam had harboured resentment towards their family.

“My father always stood against the abuse. We believe that grudge led to his murder,” Panju Mia said.

Police said these allegations are being treated seriously but stressed that the investigation remains ongoing.

Officer-in-Charge Durul Hoda of Fulchhari Police Station said investigators recovered the suspected murder weapon from beside the body. Preliminary findings suggest that the attacker may have entered the sleeping area by removing part of the wooden flooring beneath the veranda before attacking Shahjalal while he was asleep.

The body has been sent to the morgue at Gaibandha Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination, which is expected to help determine further details surrounding the killing.

Police have begun efforts to identify and arrest those responsible. Investigators said witness statements, physical evidence collected from the scene and forensic findings will all form part of the inquiry. Authorities added that appropriate legal action would be taken against those found to be involved once the investigation is completed.

The killing has shocked residents of the quiet rural community, with neighbours describing Shahjalal as a hardworking man who supported his family through farming and bamboo craftsmanship. Local people have expressed hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice swiftly and that the investigation will establish the full circumstances behind the fatal attack.