A series of killings across Sylhet has raised growing public concern over law and order, with 13 murders and four mysterious deaths reported across the division during the first 29 days of July.
An investigation found that between July 1 and July 29, victims of various ages—including women, men, teenagers, and children—lost their lives in incidents linked to family disputes, land conflicts, football-related altercations, personal rivalries, romantic relationships, and other violent circumstances. While police have arrested several suspects, many remain at large, fueling public anxiety over security.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday night (July 28) in Muktarpur village under Moglabazar Police Station in South Surma. According to allegations, Batir Ali, a young man, was called out of his home, assaulted, and later died from his injuries after being taken to hospital. Police said an investigation is underway and raids are being conducted to arrest those involved.
On July 27, Rifat Ahmed, a ninth-grade student, was fatally stabbed near Kazirbazar Bridge in Sylhet city following a dispute over a football match. On the same day, the body of 11-month-old Amir Hamza was recovered from a septic tank in Sunamganj's Lalpur Cluster Village just hours after he went missing. Police suspect the child was murdered and detained four people for questioning.
On July 26, Monofor Ali, who had been critically injured in a land dispute a month earlier in Jaintiapur, died while undergoing treatment. Police have begun the process of converting the existing case into a murder case. On the same day, the death of elderly woman Hasna Begum in Zakiganj also raised questions, although police initially believe it was a natural death.
On July 21, police recovered the hanging body of Taslima Akter, a mother of two, in Companiganj Upazila. Her family alleged that she had been murdered following a domestic dispute, although no case has yet been filed.
On July 14, Rustam Ali was killed during a clash between two groups in Sunamganj's Shantiganj over a previous dispute. On the same day, police recovered the body of an unidentified woman from the veranda of the Chest Diseases Hospital in Sylhet city. Her identity and the cause of death remain unknown.
On July 13, the body of Mahbub Sarwar Rajan of Zakiganj was recovered in Habiganj after he went missing while returning from a job examination in Dhaka. His family described the death as mysterious.
On July 11, police recovered the hanging body of Farzana Akter Shimu, a three-month pregnant housewife, in Jaintiapur. Her husband and mother-in-law were taken into custody for questioning. Later that night, Minhaj Uddin of Gowainghat was shot dead by Khasi residents along the Meghalaya border in India.
On July 6, the body of dried fish trader Abdul Aziz was found stuffed inside a sack in the bathroom of a house in Khalilpur Union of Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila. Police continue to investigate the motive behind the killing.
On July 3, Md. Sufian Ahmed of Barlekha died while undergoing treatment. His family alleged that he had been lured by his wife following a secret marriage, tortured, and forced to consume poison.
On July 2, Alam Ahmed was stabbed to death by his cousin in Zakiganj following an argument over watching a football match. Police quickly arrested the main suspect. Around the same time, Jahangir Alam was allegedly hacked to death in Kanaighat following a family dispute over bringing his wife back home.
Police said every murder and mysterious death is being investigated with utmost importance. Investigations into filed cases are progressing, several suspects have already been arrested, and operations are continuing to apprehend those still on the run. Authorities also said forensic reports and other evidence are being examined to determine the exact causes of the unexplained deaths and to ensure appropriate legal action.
