Accused held for killing child who refused to climb areca tree

Police have arrested a man accused of stabbing a child to death in Lakshmipur after the boy refused to climb an areca palm tree.

The accused, Rubel Hossain, 35, was arrested during a police operation in Rasulpur area of Sadar upazila on Sunday morning. He was later sent to jail through the court.

The victim, Rishad Hossain, was allegedly asked by Rubel to climb an areca tree and collect betel nuts on Saturday afternoon. When the child refused, Rubel became angry and allegedly stabbed him.

Rishad was rescued in critical condition and taken to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Rishad’s father, Shahed Hossain, filed a murder case with Sadar Police Station on Sunday morning.

Officer-in-Charge Wahid Parvez said Rubel had been arrested in connection with the murder and sent to jail. “The incident is being investigated,” he said.