Guwahati: Driven by financial hardships, a schoolteacher allegedly hacked his wife and three children to death with an axe while they were asleep at their home in Dhemaji district early Wednesday, police said.The accused, Phirooj Ali, in his 50s, was arrested after the killings at Telam Railway Colony’s Muslim Basti, around 35km from Jonai town. He worked as a ‘tutor’ at the govt-run Gaamchuk Lower Primary School. Police said the attack took place between 4am and 4.30am.The victims were identified as Ali’s second wife, Chinuara Begum (33) and their three children — Naina Akhtar (13), Rijika Begum (5) and Sakil Ali (7).Ali, who was employed as a ‘tutor’, was earning a little over Rs 10,000 every month unlike regular govt school teachers who receive much better pay.‘Tutors’ were initially appointed by School Management Committees to teach in venture or non-provincialised schools. Those ‘tutors’ who later acquired the required qualifications, such as BEd or D.El.Ed., had their services regularised as regular teachers. However, those who failed to obtain these qualifications, including Ali, continued to serve as ‘tutors’.“All four victims were asleep when the accused attacked them one after another with an axe. They died before they had any chance to wake up or escape,” a police officer said.Police are investigating the motive and said Ali confessed to the killings during questioning.In a video recorded after the killings, Ali claimed he first attacked his elder daughter, followed by his wife and then his two other children. He cited prolonged financial hardship and his inability to meet his family’s needs.“I could not fulfill their needs. I was earning barely Rs 10,000 a month, and it became impossible to meet their needs,” he said in the video.“I need to be hanged. Hang me to death,” he said.Ali also claimed there had been no dispute between him and his wife. “There is no woman as calm and patient as my wife,” he said.He further claimed that he had considered ending his own life but decided to kill his family first, fearing they would not be able to survive without him.“I kept thinking about how they would survive if I died. Who would look after them and how would they make a living?” he said.Neighbours said they had never seen Ali and his wife quarrel and described Chinuara as quiet and gentle. One neighbour said residents heard sounds resembling repeated blows against wood from inside the house on Wednesday morning.“We heard the sounds, but no one cried out for help. Later we called his brother and he opened the door,” she said.A forensic team from Dhemaji visited the crime scene, while post-mortem examinations were conducted on Wednesday.
