Husband 'strangles wife to death' in Natore

A young woman was allegedly strangled to death by her husband, who then fled the scene after tying her hands and feet to a bed and locking the door, at Baraigram upazila in Natore district.

The incident took place on Monday evening in Royna Bharot Uttarpara village under the upazila.  

Police recovered the body of the victim, Akhi Khatun, 22, from the locked bedroom that night and sent it to Natore Sadar Hospital for an autopsy on Tuesday. 

However, the suspect and the victim's husband Ismail Hossain, 25, son of Taijul Islam from Hajrapara village in Natore Sadar, remains at large.  

According to local Union Parishad member Nazrul Islam, Akhi married Ismail about two years ago. From the early days of their marriage, Akhi reportedly suffered abuse by her husband. To escape the violence, Akhi convinced her husband to live at her parents' house. However, the abuse continued even there.  

On the day of the incident, both Akhi and Ismail returned home in the afternoon after working in fields when Akhi's parents were not home. Upon returning home, the victim's parents found the door locked from the outside.

 After repeated calls went unanswered, they broke the lock and discovered Akhi's body tied to the bed.  

Baraigram Police Station officer-in-charge Sirajul Islam confirmed the murder and stated that the victim's neck showed signs of strangulation and bruises. Preliminary investigations suggest that the murder was a result of domestic conflict.  

"Ismail fled the scene with his clothes, his wife's belongings, and both their mobile phones. Police have launched a drive to arrest him. A case is being prepared in connection with the incident," added the OC.