A khatib (who leads Jummah prayers) was hacked to death inside his own home in Bhola town on Saturday night.
The deceased was identified as Aminul Haque Nomani, a teacher of Bhola Darul Hadis Kamil Madrassah and khatib of the Sadar Upazila Parishad Mosque. He was also a well-known Islamic speaker in the area.
Local people said that Aminul returned home at about 9:00pm after leading the Esha prayers at the Paschim Charnoabad Jame Mosque. At that time, his wife, daughter and two sons were away visiting relatives, leaving him alone at the house.
At about 9:15pm, unknown killers reportedly attacked him inside his room, hacking him multiple times before fleeing. Neighbours rushed to his house after hearing his screams, but found the front gate locked from inside.
They broke through a tin-fence and found him lying in a pool of blood with severe injuries in his head, neck, chest and abdomen.
He was taken to Bhola General Hospital where physicians declared him dead at about 10:00pm.
Police later visited the crime scene and hospital. Blood stains were found on the floor of the drawing room, near a sofa set.
A computer and webcam were found switched on, with Aminul鈥檚 cap lying on a nearby table, police sources said.
Local people described Aminul as a respected alim (religious scholar), popular among the people of the area, and said that he had founded a madrassah himself.
Hearing the news, leaders of various Islamic groups and residents held a protest march on Sadar Road in Bhola town, demanding immediate arrest of those responsible. They also staged a rally near K Jahan Market, issuing a 24-hour ultimatum to law enforcers to identify and arrest the killers.
Officer-in-charge of Bhola Sadar Model Police Station Abu Shahdat Md Hachnain Parvez said that several police teams had already launched operations to trace and arrest the perpetrators.
鈥楾he motive behind the killing is not yet clear, but we are investigating with the utmost priority,鈥� the OC said.
