Natore, August 11 (V7N) — In a disturbing incident in Lalpur upazila of Natore, a 20-year-old man named Tawhidul Islam has confessed to the brutal killing of a private car driver, Saidur Rahman (35), whose body was found with his throat slit beside the Lalpur–Bonpara road near Gopalpur North Bengal Sugar Mills High School on Thursday night.

Tawhidul gave his confessional statement on Saturday under Section 164 before the Judicial Magistrate Court in Natore. According to police officials quoting the statement, Tawhidul claimed he had been suffering from mental health issues due to longstanding family conflicts and had become radicalized over time. He stated that he committed the murder with the intent to eliminate individuals he viewed as morally corrupt.

The victim, Saidur Rahman, was a resident of Bamonpara village in the Veramara South Railgate area of Veramara upazila, Kushtia. He was the son of Altaf Hossain. The accused, Tawhidul, is from Bohirmali village in Daulatpur upazila and is the son of Mohidul Islam. Police have described Tawhidul as an unmarried drifter without stable employment.

Sub-Inspector Selim Reza of Lalpur Police Station, who is investigating the case, said that Tawhidul had previously attempted two similar attacks in Cumilla and Chattogram but had failed to carry them out. His radicalization reportedly stemmed from personal disillusionment and an extreme interpretation of morality. He told police that during an earlier stay in Cumilla while seeking work, he was asked to transport illegal drugs. In protest, he claimed to have burned the substances. Following this, he began targeting individuals he believed were "evil" or involved in immoral behavior.

On the day of the incident, Tawhidul allegedly approached driver Saidur in front of a brothel, accusing him of immoral conduct. He rented Saidur’s private car for Tk 2,500 under the pretense of traveling to Bonpara. He had reportedly purchased a knife earlier that day for Tk 70 in preparation for the murder.

During the journey on the evening of August 7, Tawhidul asked Saidur to stop the car near the sugar mill area. Once the vehicle halted, he allegedly attacked from behind, slashing the right side of the driver's neck. A struggle ensued, during which Tawhidul's clothes were soaked in blood. Although Saidur managed to exit the vehicle and attempt to call for help, he collapsed on the road and died shortly afterward.

Tawhidul tried to flee the scene by removing his blood-stained panjabi, but local residents quickly apprehended him and handed him over to the police. A bloodied knife was recovered from his possession at the scene.

Authorities say that the investigation is ongoing and have not ruled out the possibility of extremist indoctrination or mental health instability influencing the suspect’s actions.

Police are also examining whether Tawhidul has any links to extremist networks, as his confessional statement included ideological motivations and repeated efforts to attack people he perceived as "immoral."

The murder has sparked concern in the local community, with residents shocked by the apparent randomness and brutality of the crime.

Further legal proceedings are underway, and a psychiatric evaluation of the accused is also being considered.

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