Photo: Collected
Panic has spread in Madaripur following violent incidents involving two women in the same area within a span of five days. First, a young woman named Ivy Akter, 18, was hacked to death with a sharp weapon by assailants who entered her home. Five days later, in the same area, an attempt was made to kill another woman named Tania by entering her home and striking her throat with a sharp weapon.
Although concern has grown over the two back-to-back incidents, police have not yet been able to unravel the mystery behind Ivy’s murder and the attempt to kill Tania. No one has been arrested so far in connection with these incidents.
Ivy Akter was murdered on the evening of 8 September at her uncle’s house in Sabek Kalikapur village of Kalikapur union in Madaripur Sadar upazila. She was alone in the house at the time. According to relatives, miscreants entered the house and struck different parts of her body with a sharp weapon. She was later found lying on the floor covered in blood. The family claims that the iPhone Ivy used, gold ornaments and cash were not found after the murder.
Ivy’s uncle Kalam Sharif said he had gone to the mosque to offer prayers. On returning, he found Ivy lying on the floor covered in blood. Police were later informed with the help of locals.
Ivy’s aunt Chhaya Begum said she had raised Ivy like her own child since she was just 10 days old. From her education to her marriage, she had taken responsibility for everything.
In a tearful voice, she said, ‘Ivy was not only my daughter, she was like my mother. Those who killed her in this way must be found and punished.’
Akhlima Begum, mother of the slain Ivy, said, ‘The police have still not been able to catch those who killed you. Allah will judge them. My demand to the police is that they be caught quickly and arrangements be made for their punishment.’
Ivy’s brother Asif said, ‘We cannot understand why the police are unable to catch the accused. The police say a drive is under way. We want the administration to quickly catch my sister’s killer and ensure stern punishment.’
Ivy’s father Aslam Sharif said, ‘The way my daughter was killed cannot be accepted in any way. The killers must be arrested quickly. We want a fair investigation and justice.’
Ivy’s father Aslam Sharif filed a case with Madaripur Sadar Police Station on 11 September over the incident. However, even though several days have passed, no accused has been arrested so far.
Meanwhile, five days after Ivy’s murder, on the afternoon of 11 September, another woman named Tania came under attack in ward no. 4 of the same Kalikapur union.
According to the family, Tania was sleeping in her own room at the time. Two masked men entered the room, struck her throat from behind with a sharp weapon and fled. Critically injured, Tania was first taken to Madaripur Sadar Hospital. She was later sent to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for better treatment.
The family claims that a note found with Tania says that two masked men entered the room and struck her from behind with a sharp weapon.
The murder of one woman and the attempt to kill another by slitting her throat in the same area within a span of five days have created panic among locals. Many are not leaving their homes after dusk unless necessary. Women in particular are worried about their safety.
Shefali Begum, a resident of Kalikapur, said, ‘Two incidents have taken place in our area one after another. Now we feel afraid even in the daytime – who knows what may happen and when! The police have not been able to arrest anyone. We cannot understand why such incidents are happening.’
Abul Kalam Azad, officer-in-charge (OC) of Madaripur Sadar Police Station, said marks of injuries from a sharp weapon were found on different parts of the slain Ivy’s body. Whether the murder was committed for the purpose of theft or for some other reason is being looked into. A drive is under way to identify and arrest those involved in the two incidents.
