A week has already passed since the brutal killing of school girl Samia Islam. But police have not yet arrested anyone, and even failed to identify the killers.
As a result, family members of the slain teenage girl became frustrated over the investigation. They demanded speeding up the investigation process.
Local sources said investigators could not unearth the motive behind the killing.
Police still continue to be groping in the dark as no substantial clue has been found in connection with the death of the ninth grade girl student of Manikganj Government SK Girls High School.
The ill-fated Samia was a native of Parchangao village of Mahichal union in Chandina upazila of Cumilla district. But, they have been living in Manikganj district town for the past 20 years due to her father's job. Her father Saiful Islam is a lineman of Manikganj Polli Bidyut Samity.
Samia's family is still mourning. She was buried in Parchangao native village. The whole family is stunned by the pain of losing a loved one.
After her burial, the family members returned to the rented house in Gangadhar Potty area in Manikganj on Sunday. This correspondent talked to Samia's family members who are grieving the loss of their loved one.
Narrating the story of Samia, her father Saiful Islam said, “My daughter left home at 2.30 pm on March 2 (Saturday) to go to a coaching centre of Tajul Islam in South Seota area in the town and since then she went missing.
In the evening, a woman named Jobeda Begum from Char Beutha area informed us over a mobile call that Samia's bag was found on the bank of Kaliganga river. Later, family members brought the schoolbag. Then a GD was filed with Sadar police station in this regard.
The body of the girl was recovered floating in the Kaliganga River at Kusher Char area of Ward No. 9 of Manikganj Municipality on March 4, two days after she went missing.
Later, Saiful Islam has filed a murder case against unknown persons in Manikganj Sadar Police Station. The investigation of the case was entrusted to Paturia River Police station as the body was found floating in the Kaliganga river.
Police said, they came to know that Samia fell in love with Tasin Ahmed, son of Mofizul Islam, an inhabitant of Uchutia area of the town.
The relationship with Tasin broke up a few months ago. Recently, Samia had developed a relationship with another young man. Police are looking for the so-called lover.
It is alleged that Samia committed suicide due to misunderstanding with her lover Tasin or his associates.
Salma Islam, mother of the deceased, said, adding with tears, that Samia was very quiet from childhood. She used to pray regularly, wear a veil since she was a student of class seven.
It is still a mystery whether she committed suicide or there is any other reasons behind her death. Her father Saiful and mother Salma Akter were firm that Samia was not a weak minded person to commit suicide.
However, the law enforcement agency picked up the boyfriend Tasin and his cousin Sajib from Uchutia village on the night of March 5 for interrogation. It is being investigated whether Tasin or any others has any connection behind this death.
Samia was the second among 3 sisters. The brilliant girl was admitted to the reputed Manikganj Government SK Girls High School in 3rd grade by participating in the usual admission test in 2018. Samia's elder sister Sayma Islam has passed HSC from Devendra College this year. She is now trying to get into university. The youngest daughter Asma Islam is 4 years old, and yet to start studying.
Samia's elder sister Saima said, my younger sister Asma has not yet realized that our Samia is dead. She is asking mother, father and family members where Samia Apu has gone. She wants to know when Samia Apu will be returning home.
"I have confidence in the investigators, but I am increasingly frustrated as they are yet to arrest those involved and ascertain the motive behind the killing of my sister. Samia's father Md. Saiful Islam said adding I also demanded a proper investigation and trial of the murder.
Investigation officer (IO) of Samia killing case Anower Hossain said, we have collected almost all CCTV footage of her movement in the evening before the girl was found dead. We also visited her coaching center and also talked to classmates, teachers and family members to learn more about her past and friends, he said.
Samia did not use any mobile phone. If necessary, she used her mother's phone. The phone call list of Samia's relatives, including her mother, is being reviewed.
The Investigation officer (IO), Sub-Inspector however, said analysis of CCTV footage showed that Samia was seen roaming with a youth at Bewtha bridge area at around 3:20 pm on March 2. Since the incident, the youth has gone into hiding. Police are looking for the so-called lover boy. The police believe that if he is arrested, the real mystery of the murder may be revealed.
Based on the Surothal report, there was no sign of torture, injury marks or fight were found on her body. The family of the deceased could not provide any information about the cause of death. Even they do not suspect anyone in this incident, said the Investigation Officer.
So, we are yet to determine how the incident happened and if it was suicide or murder, he added.
Police Superintendent of River Police at Faridpur region Sayed Musfiqur Rahman, who also supervises the murder case said, police are trying their best to finding-out real cause behind the death. The motive of the killing is still unknown which will come to light after getting the post mortem report, the SP adds.
“We would be able to know the actual motive behind the death only after investigation,” the Police Super added.
Replying to a query, the SP said they have found some important clues, but he would not disclose any details.