Youth stabbed to death over football match dispute in Sylhet

A youth named Alam Ahmad, 28, was stabbed to death by his cousin following an argument over shouting while watching a football match in Zakiganj, Sylhet.

The incident took place at midnight in Lamargram village under Kholachhara union of the upazila on Wednesday (July 1).

The deceased, Alam, was a rickshaw puller by profession and the son of Warish Ali of Lamargram.

Police arrested the accused cousin with the weapon shortly after the incident.

According to police sources, Alam Ahmad shouted during a goal while watching a football match between England and DR Congo on Wednesday night. This angered his cousin, Parvez Ahmad, 32, leading to a heated argument between the two. At one point during the altercation, Parvez became agitated, stabbed Alam with a sharp knife, and fled the scene, leaving him bleeding.

Alam was rushed to the Zakiganj Upazila Health Complex in critical condition. However, the attending doctor stated that he passed away before reaching the hospital.

Upon receiving news of the murder, Zakiganj police launched an overnight drive and arrested Parvez from his maternal grandfather's house in Madarkhal village under Kholachhara union. The blood-stained knife used in the killing was also recovered from his possession. Parvez is the son of Mostakin Ali of the same village.

When asked about the matter, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Zakiganj Police Station, Muhammad Abdur Razzak, said, "Primarily, it is known that the murder took place over shouting during a football match. Police will investigate if there are any other underlying reasons behind it."

He added that on Thursday morning, police recovered the body and sent it to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for an autopsy.