Staff Reporter :
Police arrested six persons for questioning in relation to the murder of six-year-old Muntaha Akter Zerin from Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet district on Sunday.
Additional Superintendent of Police in Sylhet Rafiq Islam confirmed the arrest on Sunday afternoon.
The accused detained persons have been identified as Islam Uddin,
Nizam Uddin, Nazma Begum, former tutor of the victim, Shamima Begum alias Marzia, and her mother Alifjan Begum, along with her grandmother Kutubjan Begum.
All of them are residents of Kanaighat and neighbors of the victim.
Earlier on November 3, the victim Muntaha, daughter of Shamim Ahmed from Bir Dal village under Kanaighat Sadar union, went missing after returning home from a a religious gathering and went out to play with other children near their house.
Her family searched for her throughout the evening but could not find her.
On Sunday morning, Muntaha’s body was discovered in a canal near her home. Police initially detained three women for questioning.
Superintendent Rafiq Islam said, “Muntaha’s father reported her missing to the police on November 3, filing a General Diary (GD).
Later he filed a formal complaint, prompting an investigation.”
During the investigation, police interrogated Muntaha’s former tutor, Shamima Begum Marzia, who eventually confessed to her involvement in the crime.
According to her statement, the murder occurred on the evening of November 3 when Muntaha was strangled and suffocated with a sack in their house.
Quoting Marzia’s confession, Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Md Rafiqul Islam said that Muntaha was killed by suffocation. Her throat was tied with ropes.
Her body was thrown into a pond on the night of November 3. The murder may have been done by Marzia. She killed Muntaha out of anger at being dismissed from teaching and accused of theft.
However, the police are investigating whether there is any other reason behind this.
Over the issue, Abul Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sylhet’s South Surma police station, said that a social movement should be formed against criminals.
It is possible to make the society beautiful with the collective efforts of all classes of people.
The cooperation of conscience pen soldiers of the nation is needed especially to keep South Surma area crime free.
Police continue to investigate the case with further legal actions expected as the situation develops, OC added.