Md Joynal Abedin :
Police are still in the dark about the killer, who in the name of renting flat in the city’s Dakkhinkhan area, used to go to apartment buildings and murdered at least three women in the recent days.
Besides, the suspected killer also tried to kill Jebunnesa Chowdhury, owner of a house in Dakkhin Azampur.
As a series of killing of women raised alarm in the area, police have already taken various measures to assure locals of providing all out security.
Panic is running high among the dwellers of Dakkhinkhan area, specially the female landlords as three women owners of separate apartments were killed and another received severe injuries by an unidentified 30-year old youth in the area in the span of three months.
“After analysing the crime scene in Dakkhinkhan area, we suspect that all the four attacks were carried out by the same person. We think that he (killer) is a mental patient. But, the suspect used to wear suit as dresses code,” Bidhan Tripura, Deputy Commissioner (Uttara Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The New Nation on Monday night.
However, he said that they have obtained enough information in connection with the killing incidents.
“We have taken the issue seriously as CCTV footage went viral on social media and the people of Dakkhinkhan expressed deep concern over the killing incidents, the DC said.
The joint team, including Police Investigation Bureau (PBI), Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), are investigating the incidents, he said.
Police have gathered several possible photos of the killer by analysing the videos and pictures of the CCTVs’ cameras, the police official said, adding but these were found almost dark.
Some experts also are carrying out investigation to get the clue that why the killer targeted landladies, the DC said.
From the wounds and witness testimony, it has been confirmed that he uses a knife, he said.
“We are now giving most priority to prevent further attack by him in any place in the city,” the police official said.
He also claimed that we have launched social awareness program and distributed his (killer) sketches among the dwellers as the criminal fled the area after committing murder.
“We have requested the dwellers, including female landladies, to take police’ help when they want to rent their apartments in order to avert further such incident,” he said.
Sheikh Rukunuzzaman, Inspector (investigation) of Dakkhin Khan police station, said the houses which came under attack did not have CCTV cameras.
“We have a CCTV footage from a building next door which is our lead. But the suspect’s face is not clear,” he said.
According to witnesses and police investigation, it appears that the perpetrator goes around looking for apartments to rent. Once an apartment with a ‘To-Let’ sign found, it may be that he stakes it out to confirm whether there is a landlady or not.
Authorities have asked locals to instruct their guards to be more vigilant.
“The sound of the doorbell has become a catalyst of fear for us. We have even added metal grills in front of our main door so that we can identify the visitor first,” said Sangita Sarker, a landlady in Dakkhin Khan.
The first incident took place on July 24. Sahida Begum, a resident of North Gawair of Dakkhin Khan became the first victim. Her body was found on the floor of the empty apartment. It was thought to be a murder and robbery since the murderer had made off with her gold ornaments.
On August 21, Suraiya Akther, a landlady in East Mollartek, was killed in the same style.
Another attack took place on August 31. The suspect tried to kill Jebunnesa Chowdhury, owner of a house in Dakkhin Azampur. However, she survived the attack and is now undergoing treatment. But both of her eyes have been damaged in the attack.
The latest attack was on September 7 on Wahida Akther Shima, 48, of Danipara area of Gawair, Dakkhin Khan. Her husband Sohrab Hossain filed a murder case with Dakkhin Khan police station.
The case statement states that a flat on the sixth floor of the house was empty and a man sought to rent it. After initial discussions, Shima took him to show the flat around.
In 2009, another serial killer named Rasu Khan of Chandpur was arrested after he had killed 11 women in Tongi and Savar areas. Another serial killer Momin alias Babu Mandol alias Pichchi Babu was arrested from Uttar Khan in Dhaka 2014. He is accused of killing at least seven women.
Police are still in the dark about the killer, who in the name of renting flat in the city’s Dakkhinkhan area, used to go to apartment buildings and murdered at least three women in the recent days.
Besides, the suspected killer also tried to kill Jebunnesa Chowdhury, owner of a house in Dakkhin Azampur.
As a series of killing of women raised alarm in the area, police have already taken various measures to assure locals of providing all out security.
Panic is running high among the dwellers of Dakkhinkhan area, specially the female landlords as three women owners of separate apartments were killed and another received severe injuries by an unidentified 30-year old youth in the area in the span of three months.
“After analysing the crime scene in Dakkhinkhan area, we suspect that all the four attacks were carried out by the same person. We think that he (killer) is a mental patient. But, the suspect used to wear suit as dresses code,” Bidhan Tripura, Deputy Commissioner (Uttara Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The New Nation on Monday night.
However, he said that they have obtained enough information in connection with the killing incidents.
“We have taken the issue seriously as CCTV footage went viral on social media and the people of Dakkhinkhan expressed deep concern over the killing incidents, the DC said.
The joint team, including Police Investigation Bureau (PBI), Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), are investigating the incidents, he said.
Police have gathered several possible photos of the killer by analysing the videos and pictures of the CCTVs’ cameras, the police official said, adding but these were found almost dark.
Some experts also are carrying out investigation to get the clue that why the killer targeted landladies, the DC said.
From the wounds and witness testimony, it has been confirmed that he uses a knife, he said.
“We are now giving most priority to prevent further attack by him in any place in the city,” the police official said.
He also claimed that we have launched social awareness program and distributed his (killer) sketches among the dwellers as the criminal fled the area after committing murder.
“We have requested the dwellers, including female landladies, to take police’ help when they want to rent their apartments in order to avert further such incident,” he said.
Sheikh Rukunuzzaman, Inspector (investigation) of Dakkhin Khan police station, said the houses which came under attack did not have CCTV cameras.
“We have a CCTV footage from a building next door which is our lead. But the suspect’s face is not clear,” he said.
According to witnesses and police investigation, it appears that the perpetrator goes around looking for apartments to rent. Once an apartment with a ‘To-Let’ sign found, it may be that he stakes it out to confirm whether there is a landlady or not.
Authorities have asked locals to instruct their guards to be more vigilant.
“The sound of the doorbell has become a catalyst of fear for us. We have even added metal grills in front of our main door so that we can identify the visitor first,” said Sangita Sarker, a landlady in Dakkhin Khan.
The first incident took place on July 24. Sahida Begum, a resident of North Gawair of Dakkhin Khan became the first victim. Her body was found on the floor of the empty apartment. It was thought to be a murder and robbery since the murderer had made off with her gold ornaments.
On August 21, Suraiya Akther, a landlady in East Mollartek, was killed in the same style.
Another attack took place on August 31. The suspect tried to kill Jebunnesa Chowdhury, owner of a house in Dakkhin Azampur. However, she survived the attack and is now undergoing treatment. But both of her eyes have been damaged in the attack.
The latest attack was on September 7 on Wahida Akther Shima, 48, of Danipara area of Gawair, Dakkhin Khan. Her husband Sohrab Hossain filed a murder case with Dakkhin Khan police station.
The case statement states that a flat on the sixth floor of the house was empty and a man sought to rent it. After initial discussions, Shima took him to show the flat around.
In 2009, another serial killer named Rasu Khan of Chandpur was arrested after he had killed 11 women in Tongi and Savar areas. Another serial killer Momin alias Babu Mandol alias Pichchi Babu was arrested from Uttar Khan in Dhaka 2014. He is accused of killing at least seven women.
