The victim was identified as Shamima Akhter, 22, wife of Amir Ali of the village, and mother of an 18-month-old boy.
Nazmul Hossain, elder brother of Shamima, said Mintu and Ruhul, two cousin brothers of her husband, came to visit her at her father’s residence in Gouripur village of the upazila on the day and requested her to make ‘pitha’ (rice cake) for them.
She later served them with ‘pitha’ but they found those too inadequate for them, Nazmul added.
Being angered with the issue, Mintu and Ruhul stabbed Shamima indiscriminately, leaving her critically injured, said her brother.
They also stabbed Shamima’s younger sister, Naima, 10, and her brother-in-law Baru Mia, as they tried to save her.
Shamima was taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College where doctors declared her dead, said Jalal Uddin, officer-in-charge of Balaganj Police Station.
Meanwhile, police arrested Mintu and Ruhul, the OC added.