Elderly woman dies in Natore after her face is smashed in

“We are investigating whether a prior feud led to this incident,” police say

Police have recovered the body of an elderly woman who had her face smashed in from Natore’s Baraigram. Law enforcers say they suspect murder.

The incident occurred in the Bonpara Sardarpara area of the Upazila around 8:30pm on Sunday, according to Md Ifte Khayer Alam, additional superintendent of police in Natore.

The deceased was identified as Momtaz Begum, 69, from the Sardarpara area.

Police have detained two household aides – 40-year-old Sufia Begum and 61-year-old Kazi Abu Shama – for interrogation over the incident.

Citing the family, ASP Alam said: “Since the death of her husband, Momtaz Begum has lived at home with her household aides. Her children live abroad. On Sunday night, domestic aide Abu Shama went to the house after Isha prayers and found Momtaz in her room bleeding, with her face smashed in.”

“Shama’s screams brought neighbours and family members running. They rescued Momtaz and rushed her to a local hospital, where the doctor on duty declared her dead.”

The police official said, “Some of the gold ornaments Momtaz wore were missing. Based on the information we have, our initial suspicion is that it is a murder.”

“We are investigating whether this incident occurred due to a prior feud or over property. We have detained the two domestic aides for questioning.”

He added that the process of filing a case over the incident is under way.