Two housewives murdered over dowry, family feud

Two housewives were killed allegedly by their husbands over dowry and family feud in Panchagarh and Rangamati districts yesterday and on Friday night.

Our Thakurgaon correspondent reported that a housewife was tortured to death allegedly by her husband and mother-in-law at Gofapara village in Panchagarh Sadar upazila on Friday night.

The victim was Mala Akhter, 21, wife of rickshaw-van puller Dulal, 30, of the village.

After killing Mala, the killers poured poison into the victim's mouth and said she had committed suicide.

Police recovered the body 13 hours after the incident and sent it to Panchagarh Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Police arrested Dulal and his mother Hawa Begum, 50.

Locals said Dulal, son of Hossain Ali of the village, married Mala Akhter, daughter of Omar Ali of Odhikarypara under the upazila, around three years ago. Mala's in-laws used to torture her for dowry and also for trivial matters, they added.   

Police and local sources said Dulal and his mother beat up Mala on Friday night. At one stage, they allegedly poured poison into her mouth.

Hearing Mala's screams, neighbours rushed to her house and took her to Panchagarh Sadar Hospital. She succumbed to her injuries while being taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. 

Mohsiul Goni, inspector (Investigation) of Panchagarh Police Station, said several injury marks were found on her body and it was primarily ascertained that the housewife died due to torture. It will be clearer after the autopsy, he said.

Victim's uncle Md Ibrahim filed a case with the police station, accusing four persons, including the victim's husband and mother-in-law, he added.

Away in Rangamati, a housewife was found dead at Bangalhalia in Rajasthali upazila of the district yesterday morning, reports UNB.

Quoting family members, Md Jahirul Anwar, officer-in-charge (OC) of Chandraghona Police Station, said Rahima Khatun, wife of Mohammd Bablu, locked in an altercation with her husband over family feud on Friday night.

Her body was found lying on the bed yesterday morning.

Rahima might have been strangled by her husband as he went into hiding after the incident, the OC said.

Victim's brother filed a case with the police station in this connection.