Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has stated that the brutal killing of a mother and her son and daughter in Kadoibari village, Muradnagar, Comilla, stemmed from a local dispute over mobile phone theft, with no evidence of political involvement.
According to RAB, the attack followed the disappearance of Borhan, a neighbour of victim Ruby Begum, after he was beaten in a village arbitration over alleged mobile theft. Borhan’s father, Joshim, subsequently filed a complaint at Bangura Bazar Police Station, suspecting Ruby’s involvement in his son’s disappearance, prompting the attackers to plan the assault.
Local residents claim the murdered family had long been involved in drug trade, fueling community resentment. However, family members deny these allegations, asserting the killings were premeditated attacks to assert dominance under the guise of the theft dispute.
The incident occurred at around 9am on Thursday when assailants stormed the home of Khalilur Rahman, killing his wife Rokhsana Begum Ruby (53), son Rasel Mia (35), and daughter Taspia Akhtar Jonaki (29). Ruby’s other daughter, Ruma Akhtar (28), remains hospitalised in Dhaka.
On Friday night, victim Rokhsana’s daughter Rikta Begum filed a case at Bangura Bazar Police Station against 38 named and 20-25 unidentified individuals.
Six suspects were later arrested in raids across Cumilla and Dhaka, including Bachchu Mia (55), Rabiul Awal (55), Dulal (45), Atiqur Rahman (42), Bayez Master (43), and Akash (24). Earlier, army personnel had detained two others – Sabir Ahmed (48) and Md Nazimuddin Babu (56) – from Akbapur, Muradnagar.
At a press conference on Saturday evening, RAB-11 Commander HM Sazzad Hossain detailed how the conflict began on July 1 over Borhan’s alleged theft of a schoolteacher’s phone.
After Borhan was severely beaten, his father sought Ruby’s help as Borhan lived near Jonaki’s husband. When Borhan remained missing, Ruby joined arbitration efforts led by member Bachchu.
On July 2, a village meeting failed to resolve tensions, and threats were made to eliminate Ruby and her family, culminating in the July 3 attack where local leaders assaulted the family during an altercation.
RAB confirmed Ruby had 11 prior cases, while Russel faced 9. Commander Sazzad clarified that no political links were found and that patrols continue, targeting only those directly involved.
The investigation remains ongoing with further arrests anticipated, with RAB emphasising that their investigations showed no evidence of drug trade involvement in the murders.