Lakshmipur attack toll tops five as ‘fourth victim, assailant’ die

Another survivor of an attack by an alleged assailant in Lakshmipur’s Raipur Upazila and the suspect have succumbed to their injuries, taking the death toll from the broad daylight attack to five.

The “victim” was the fourth member of her family to die after the attack on Thursday morning when the suspect reportedly hacked them.

The dead include a Dhaka University student, her mother and two sisters.

Identified as 17-year-old Iqra Akter, the girl died while being taken to Dhaka for better treatment in the afternoon, said district police chief (SP) Md Abu Tareq.

And the suspect breathed his last at the Sadar Hospital around the same time, SP Tareq added.

Hailing from Cumilla’s Homna Upazila, the family came under attack in a rented house on the banks of the Dakatiya River in the Denayatpur area of Raipur Municipality.

Shahinur Begum, 38, her elder daughter Saima Akter, 21, the university student, and her younger daughter Shifa Akter, 9, were immediately taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where they died.

Meanwhile, an angry mob beat the suspect, Antar Majumdar, 28, from Noakhali’s Subarnachar. He was a fruit seller.

Antar was immediately taken to Sadar Hospital where he died.

Saiful Islam Murad, the employer of Shahinur's only son Sifat Hossain, said the latter was at work in the morning when the attack took place.

“He [Sifat] has also been terrified since the incident. He is in no condition to talk to anyone," said Murad.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (Raipur Circle) Md Abdur Rashed said when a team of police went to the scene when the “mob” was beating Antar, the agitated crowd also injured at least six policemen.

SP Tareq said Antar had been a neighbour of the “victims” for one and a half years before leaving the area seven to eight months ago.

According to the police official, another neighbour named Rani, identified by a single name, first noticed Antar coming out of the crime scene.

“When she asked him why he had been there, Antar said he came to fix a pipe. However, Rani was not convinced and instantly stopped him, calling locals,” said SP Tareq.

He feared that if Rani had not blocked Antar’s departure, the incident might not have been revealed.

The Upazila health facility's chief Dr Md Baharul Alam said the “victims” and the suspect were first brought to the hospital, where the mother and her two daughters died.

Iqra was immediately referred to Dhaka as her condition was deteriorating, he said.

There were bruises on Antar’s head, according to doctors and police.