A series of brutal killings in different parts of the country has sparked serious concern over the rising number of murders and the growing cruelty behind such crimes.
Recently, five members of the same family were killed in a house in Kapasia, Gazipur. Police said the suspected killer, Forkan Mia, was the father, husband and brother-in-law of the victims. His body was later recovered from a river.
The bodies of his three daughters — Meem, 15, Maria, 8, and Fariha, 2 — were found lying on the floor of the house. His wife Sharmin was found dead near a window with her hands and face tied, while the body of his brother-in-law Rasul was found on a bed.
The recovery of the five bodies on May 9 shocked the country. The gruesome scene left locals, officials and law enforcers stunned.
The incident also raised disturbing questions: how could a father, who is expected to protect his children and family, kill his own daughters, wife and brother-in-law?
Another incident that shook the country was the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akhter in the capital’s Pallabi area. Her mother first found the child’s body at a neighbour’s house. Police later recovered the severed head.
The killing created widespread outrage. Police arrested accused Sohel, 32, and his wife Swapna in connection with the incident. Sohel later confessed to the crime in court.
After losing his daughter, Ramisa’s father Abdul Hannan Mollah expressed deep frustration and distrust in the justice system.
“I don’t want justice, because you cannot ensure justice. You have no record of delivering justice,” he said.
In another incident, the dismembered body of expatriate Mukarram Mia, 37, was recovered in eight pieces. At first, seven parts of the body were found without the head. The head was recovered later.
After their arrest, the accused reportedly gave a chilling account of the killing, which took place in the Mugda-Manda area on May 17.
Investigators said the accused — Taslima Akter, her friend Helena Begum and Helena’s 13-year-old daughter — allegedly ate biryani after the murder and later joined a rooftop gathering with neighbours. The details shocked many and raised questions about the loss of sensitivity and humanity in society.
Not only these incidents, but also the statistics of the Police Office said that in the first four months of this year (January-April), 1,142 murders occurred across the country. That is, an average of 10 murders occurred every day in the country. 287 murders occurred in April. In those four months, 78 murders occurred in the capital Dhaka alone.
When asked about this, psychiatrist Dr. Mekhla Sarkar said, "There is unrest going on worldwide. In Bangladesh too, the impact of technology has become evident along with political and economic instability. People are becoming disconnected from spiritual bonds. Along with this, people are becoming impatient to fulfill their own greed, decreasing connection with family, lack of empathy with relatives, technology addiction, broadcasting programs like Crime Patrol on television, watching scary movies on Netflix, crisis of sensitivity, learning to kill through various games at a young age, hindering social and religious values, lack of morality, lack of cultural practice, etc. Murders are increasing in society due to various reasons.”
“To get rid of this, emphasis should be placed on cultural practice, sports opportunities and religious values. Technology should also be used in a limited way,” she added.
Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) of the Police Headquarters, Khondaker Rafiqul Islam said, “Socially, people are losing patience at a very small cost. Apart from this, murders are increasing due to moral degradation, decreasing family ties, and getting involved in illegal relationships. It is very difficult to prevent murders. Even so, we are trying to analyze the incidents that are happening and take effective steps.”
He also said, "There is no such case where a murder has taken place and action has not been taken against those involved. Even after this, strict action will be taken if anyone is involved in murders."
Bd-pratidin English/TR
