A man was stabbed to death by criminals at Machain village in Harirampur upazila on Wednesday night for protesting stalking of his daughter. The victim was identified as Billal Hossain Molla, 44, an inhabitant of Kakrol village in Shivalaya upazila. Jillal Hossain, younger brother of the victim, said Sumon Mia, 22, son of Ikhlas Uddin of Khanpur village, had been harassing Billal’s daughter Sheeuly Akhter, an SSC examinee, for a long time on her way to and from school.  But the girl refused his proposal for love. Later, Sumon sent a marriage proposal to her family a month ago. But the family members refused the proposal. Being refused Sumon got agitated and threatened them with dire consequences.
Afroza Begum, wife of the victim, said “Sumon, Habib and Ashique with their other associates carried out a planned murder.” Police said, on Wednesday night, a gang of criminals attacked Billal in the area while he was returning home from his workplace by a bicycle at around 9:00pm. At one stage, the attackers stabbed Billal indiscriminately with sharp weapons, leaving him dead on the spot. Local people found the body lying beside a ditch yesterday morning and informed police. Police sent the body to hospital morgue for autopsy.
Officer-in-charge of Horirampur Police station Nazrul Islam said they are yet to ascertain the cause behind the killing. Previous enmity might be the reason behind the incident, said he.  Sumon and his family members went into hiding soon after the incident. Police detained three persons for integration.