Police suspect a land dispute behind the murders of four members of a family, who were found slaughtered at their house in Niamatpur upazila of Naogaon district early Tuesday.

District’s Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam said during primary investigation, they found that the murders took place due to enmity over land dispute, not robbery.

He came up with the information while talking to reporters during a visit to the spot in the afternoon.

Parents, 2 children found dead in Naogaon

Four people have so far been taken into custody for interrogation, the SP said.

They are victim Habibur Rahman’s father Namir Uddin, 70, sisters Dalima Khatun and Halima Khatun, and nephew Sabuj Rana, 25.

“Prima facie, it does not appear to be a case of robbery. It may have occurred over a family or land-related dispute. Victim Popy Sultana still had earrings in her ears, indicating valuables were not taken away,” the SP said, adding that mystery behind the incident will be uncovered soon.

Habibur Rahman, 32, his wife Popy Sultana, 25, their son Parvez, 9, and three-year-old daughter Sadia Akter were found dead at their house at Bahadurpur village in the upazila, with their throats slit.

Neighbours first spotted the bodies after entering the house following Fajr prayers when they found the door open and later informed police.

Locals said there had been a long-standing feud between Habibur Rahman and his sister Shirina over land-related issues, and threats had reportedly been made earlier.

Popy’s father Moazzem Hossain alleged that Shirina and her son Sabuj Rana were involved in the killings, claiming they had previously attempted to kill his daughter and son-in-law.