The victim, identified as Fatema Akter Lily, a Class 10 student of Radiant School, was allegedly killed by having her throat slit with a sharp weapon. The incident took place at a house named Pritam Villa on the main road of South Banasree between 1:30pm and 3:30pm.

According to police and family sources, Lily was the daughter of Sajeeb Mia of Bamoin village under Lakhai Police Station in Habiganj district. She lived with her family in a rented flat at Pritam Villa in L Block of South Banasree under Khilgaon Police Station.

Confirming the incident, Khilgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said police rushed to the spot after receiving information in the afternoon. “Later, the body was recovered from Faraji Hospital. When I went to the hospital, I saw her throat had been slit. The exact motive behind the murder is not known yet. Police are investigating the matter,” he said.

The victim’s elder sister, Shobha, said their parents had gone to their village home in Habiganj on Wednesday (January 7) in connection with land-related issues. She said the family runs a hotel business and alleged that an employee named Milon had visited the house earlier.

According to Shobha, she left home for the gym at around 1:30pm on Saturday after asking Lily to lock the door. “When I returned, I found the main gate closed but the door of the house open, and everything inside was in disarray,” she said.

She added that she found her sister lying curled up under a large pot-like object inside the house. “At first, I thought she had suffered a head injury. Later, when I removed her hijab, I saw a rope around her neck and her throat slit. We suspect our hotel employee Milon,” Shobha alleged.

Shobha further claimed that neither the house owner nor anyone else came forward to help when she tried to rescue her sister. With the help of a friend, Lily was taken to Faraji Hospital in a rickshaw, where she was later declared dead.

Police said they are continuing their investigation to identify and arrest those responsible for the murder.