Man hacked to death in Tazia procession was killed in ‘dispute’ over holding ropes

The killing was triggered by an altercation and subsequent scuffle over holding the ropes of a palanquin during the procession, police say

Police have arrested four people in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man who was chased out of an Ashura Tazia procession in Old Dhaka's Sutrapur.

Claiming to have cracked the case within 12 hours of the incident, police said the killing was triggered by an altercation and subsequent scuffle over holding the ropes of a Duli (palanquin) during the procession.

The victim, 31-year-old Jakir Hossain, was repeatedly stabbed on Friday afternoon beneath a building on PK Roy Road in Banglabazar.

Upon receiving the news, police rescued and rushed him to Mitford Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Jakir had been working as a sanitation worker for Ward 26 of the Dhaka South City Corporation.

A case was filed at Sutrapur Police Station against 14 to 15 unidentified individuals following the murder.

Police later said they had apprehended four suspects directly involved in the crime during overnight raids conducted in parts of Dhaka between 1am and 7am.

Aside from 20-year-old Mohammad Rashed, the remaining three detainees are minors.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Lalbagh Division’s Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman shared details of the investigation at a media briefing on Saturday.

"By analysing CCTV footage, police swiftly identified the perpetrators," he said. "Following multiple raids, four individuals directly involved in the incident have been arrested."

Law-enforcing personnel also recovered a switchblade, a machete, and the clothing worn by the suspects during the attack.

Based on initial interrogations of the suspects, Talebur explained how a minor dispute escalated into a tragedy.

"The incident originated from a dispute over holding the ropes of a Duli in the Tazia procession," he said. "An altercation and subsequent brawl ensued between the victim and the attackers. At one point, the attackers chased the victim.

“Seeking safety, he took refuge beneath the Ispahani Building on PK Roy Road, where he was cornered and fatally attacked."

Police said other criminals involved in the assault have already been identified, and operations to apprehend them are under way.

According to the timeline provided by the authorities, the Tazia procession set off from the Bibika Rawza Imambara in Sutrapur around 4pm, heading towards Dhanmondi via Chawkbazar and Lalbagh.

The fatal attack occurred around 5pm as the procession was passing through Banglabazar.