Please, save our children

For those of us who work in the newsroom, writing and editing news daily, reports of death are quite manageable. Furthermore, news concerning ten other subjects often condenses into a single report. Natural deaths seldom make headlines unless a prominent individual passes away, prompting extensive coverage. Accompanying these death reports are numerous condolence messages, with lengthy fifty-sentence tributes added to ten-sentence news articles. From the multitude of condolence messages received, a selection must be made, considering the word count limitations.

However, we routinely publish numerous reports on abnormal deaths, such as those resulting from assaults, negligence, or accidents. These incidents have become commonplace news. For instance, reports of fatalities from road accidents are frequent; daily, several individuals lose their lives in such incidents, and there are also reports of murders stemming from conflicts, clashes, or familial disputes. We generally do not assign significant importance to all death reports. Yet, in recent months, we, who strive to produce objective news, find it increasingly difficult to accept reports of children's deaths! The innocent faces of countless children evoke profound sorrow within us.

The daily reports of children succumbing to measles symptoms have now become as routine as those of road accidents. The deaths of one child after another due to measles symptoms are far from ordinary occurrences. These fatalities result from the failure to administer measles vaccinations in a timely manner. This situation reflects severe state negligence and irresponsibility. It is the government's duty to identify those negligent individuals and ensure they face the maximum penalties allowed by law.

The present government has implemented measures to prevent child fatalities caused by measles symptoms through the provision of measles vaccinations, for which we express our gratitude. However, those who halted the distribution of vaccines to protect children's lives and engaged in unscrupulous business practices, placing countless children's lives at risk with the misuse of state resources funded by the public, must face punishment. If they are not held accountable, the entire nation will bear the guilt of these children! To avert further atrocious acts by such a nefarious syndicate in the future, it is crucial to bring the responsible parties to justice. It should be irrelevant whether the offenders are affiliated with any political party, supporters of any segment of the so-called civil society, or agents of a foreign power.

Ensuring a fair trial for such egregious injustices is vital to safeguard our future generations. It is regrettable that the government has yet to take any action to identify those accountable, let alone to bring them to justice!

Amidst the reports of children succumbing to measles, we are also confronted with daily news of another tragic occurrence: child rape. In many instances, the perpetrators are their teachers. The identities of these offenders and the specifics of the educational institutions involved are being reported daily. While individual criminals are being apprehended, it is unfortunate that these isolated offenders cannot solely account for the alarming frequency of similar crimes occurring across the nation. The education system, within which these incidents transpire, bears significant responsibility for this situation. There are critical deficiencies throughout the entire educational framework, beginning with the residential system, leading teachers to commit acts of rape, with innocent children suffering as the primary victims.

There is also a fear that a large part of these children who are victims of perverted tastes may suffer from major mental illnesses in the future. For this reason, the government's responsibility is to investigate the entire system and take appropriate steps to identify where the flaws are. Otherwise, due to a flawed education system, the practice of perverted tastes and mental illnesses can put the nation in a terrible crisis in the future. The most important thing is to take steps now, at this very moment, to protect our children from the practice of perverted tastes.

The tragic rape and murder of young Ramisa in Mirpur has evoked deep sorrow among us all. This heinous act serves as a stark illustration of how deviant behaviors and violence have permeated our entire social fabric. It is somewhat reassuring that both the rapist and murderer have been apprehended and are currently undergoing trial. During the court proceedings, this perpetrator audibly called out the name of another individual in front of the journalists present. This matter requires prompt investigation and decisive action to ensure that no criminal evades justice.

It is undeniable that under the previous interim government, the prevalence of deviant behaviors and violence was, in a sense, sanctioned by the state. This nation has never before witnessed the horrific spectacle of individuals being hanged alive from trees and set ablaze, accompanied by the disturbing delight of hundreds with perverse inclinations. The populace has also been subjected to the gruesome sight of exhumed bodies being burned. Numerous incidents have occurred where groups of depraved individuals have harassed women under various pretenses, reveling in their perverse enjoyment, with videos of these acts disseminated via social media.

In each case, the interim government has exhibited an alarming indifference. Rather than apprehending the primary offenders, it has made a show of arrests, only to release them later. Consequently, the proliferation of deviant behaviors and violence during Dr. Muhammad Yunus's interim government has rendered society exceedingly unsafe for women and children. While it may not be feasible for the current elected government to swiftly eradicate these perverse practices, it is equally impossible to curtail such violence without the rigorous enforcement of laws against it. Therefore, there is no alternative but to implement strict legal measures against violence directed at women and children.

Upon receiving the news regarding the rape and murder of child Ramisa, it was reported that six newborns tragically died simultaneously at Ad Din Hospital in the capital due to the negligence of those responsible for managing the air conditioning system in the children's ward. As I attempt to edit this heartbreaking news, I find my fingers unable to continue typing! How can we possibly process and accept the devastating news of children's untimely deaths? The management of numerous hospitals in Bangladesh is alarmingly poor. Yet, after a newborn is delivered in good health, we fail to ensure a safe environment in the hospital for its survival.

In which other country does such an irresponsible medical system exist? Regrettably, none of the individuals accountable for this incident have been apprehended, nor has any administrative action been taken against anyone involved. Instead, the aggressive and uncivilized staff at Ad-Din Hospital assaulted journalists who were merely fulfilling their professional responsibilities and attempted to conceal the incident by damaging their equipment!

No repercussions have been enforced against those who attacked the journalists! Is there any assurance of safety for patients in a hospital where the administration is operated by hired thugs masquerading as employees? This farce must end; imposing a fine of three lakh taka for operating an illegal bakery is not the solution! The government must take immediate action to arrest and hold accountable all individuals responsible for the child's death, including the hospital director. Furthermore, it is imperative to implement necessary measures to rid the hospital of the thugs who have taken control and to ensure it is managed properly.

As I was nearing the completion of this article, I received news of yet another heartbreaking incident involving the death of a child. A child lost their life due to a crocodile attack in a pond located in Bogerhat. This pond is not just any ordinary body of water; it is situated next to the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali. Crocodiles are housed in this pond without any protective measures, and there have been previous fatalities resulting from crocodile attacks. Recently, the death of a pet dog also generated significant public outcry. Reports from the media indicate that certain individuals associated with the shrine, known as khadem, have established a chicken trade syndicate in collaboration with the local government authorities, centered around the shrine's crocodile.

Each day, numerous devotees visit the shrine, bringing chickens with them. The khadems then sell these chickens elsewhere. Additionally, they place pets or wild animals in front of the crocodile. When given the opportunity, hungry crocodiles also attack defenseless humans in the surrounding forest.

Regrettably, following each tragic event, the local administration of Bagerhat promises to implement strict measures and safeguard the forest. However, these promises often remain unfulfilled. Once again, the DC-SP of Bagerhat has made a similar declaration. But the question arises: are they truly uninvolved in the chicken trade syndicate? If they were not complicit, then why have the fraudulent chicken traders, known as Khadem of the shrine, not been apprehended?

If the government were genuinely accountable, there should have been a process initiated for departmental action against the DC-SPs currently in office in Bagerhat for failing to enforce adequate security measures in the forest where crocodiles inhabit the area. The Khadem of the shrine, along with the DC-SP-UNO, cannot evade responsibility for the death of this child, especially since he was the son of a poor disabled mother. Such occurrences should not be tolerated in any civilized society.

We don't want to write about the tragic death of a child every day. In fact, we can't. The burden of holding a stone in our chest is increasing day by day and cannot be borne anymore. Honorable Prime Minister, please save our children, ensure strict legal action in every case of child rape, molestation, murder, death due to negligence and irresponsibility. Take effective measures now, at this moment, to make this society safe for mothers and children.

Rased Mehedi, editor, Views Bangladesh