Hijra individual stabbed to death

A member of the hijra community was stabbed to death in Jashore yesterday.

The dead was identified as Laboni Akhter, 30.

The incident took place near the Halsa Bridge on Jashore-Chuttipur road around 10:00am, said the victim's father Karim Mistry.

Eyewitnesses Nazma and Selina, who are also members of the community, said Laboni used to live with them under the supervision of community chief Panjeri in the city's Dharmatala area.

All three of them later moved after having differences of opinions with the chief.

Since then, they added, Panjeri and her followers Munni, Barsha, and Sonia threatened to kill them on numerous occasions.

"We were heading towards Chhutipur village. When we arrived near the Halsa bridge, two masked men appeared, stabbed Laboni and then fled."

They rushed Laboni to Jashore General Hospital with the help of locals.

Ahmed Tareq Shams, emergency doctor at the hospital, declared her dead, saying excessive bleeding was the cause.

Tajul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said they are trying to identify the killers.