United News of Bangladesh

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday described the rape and killing of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter as a ‘national pain’ and ‘national shame’, saying that the perpetrators must be brought to justice as quickly as possible under the existing laws. “The government has taken all measures to bring the criminals to justice as soon as possible under the existing laws of the country,” he said. The minister made the remarks, while responding to questions from journalists after a financial assistance distribution programme for disadvantaged children organised by the Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq Foundation in the city’s Pallabi area. Noting that such brutal incidents, including Ramisa's one, are extremely tragic, he said the entire nation is grieving and outraged over this incident. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, on behalf of the nation, expressed deep sympathy and condolence with the bereaved family of the slain child. At this time, the Information Minister praised the role of the media in this regard. The anger and awareness created among the people over such incidents are the result of the responsible role played by the media, he said. Based on the public opinion generated by journalists, the government will be able to adopt more effective laws and measures to eradicate such heinous crimes from society, he added. Praise for Sher-e-Bangla  In a separate event, Zahir Uddin Swapon said Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq was not only a political leader but also a pioneer of the redemption of Bengal’s peasants, common people, and the deprived sections of society and a non-communal social reformer. “Because of his historic role, Bengal’s farming community found a path to freedom from landlords’ exploitation, the trap of moneylenders’ loans, and a way out of deprivation from education,” he said. The Information Minister made the remarks while addressing at the event arranged by the same foundation to distribute financial assistance among underprivileged children at the International Mother Language Institute in the city. He said Sher-e-Bangla emerged as the first elected Prime Minister of undivided Bengal through the 1937 election and secured a unique place in the political history of Muslims in the subcontinent by presenting the Lahore Resolution in 1940. Swapon said although Sher-e-Bangla’s direct political legacy may not be clearly visible today, his philosophy of social reform remains highly relevant. He urged the Sher-e-Bangla Foundation to expand its activities beyond charity and donations and undertake broader initiatives. The Information Minister expressed interest in contributing to the foundation’s future plans and assured full cooperation from the government. Former secretary and adviser of the Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq Foundation Syed Margub Morshed and Foundation President Md Abu Hanif were present at the event, said a PID handout.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday vowed to ensure the highest punishment within the next one month for the killer of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter, who was allegedly raped and murdered in the capital. “The government will ensure the highest punishment for Ramisa’s killer within the next one month, InshaAllah. That highest punishment is the death penalty,” he said. The Prime Minister made the announcement while inaugurating the three-day national programme marking the 127th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in Trishal upazila. Referring to the maximum punishment, Tarique Rahman said it will serve as a warning so that no one dares to commit such violence against children or women in future. “I want to make it clear before you all that the present government will in no way tolerate such abuse of children or violence against women,” he said. The Prime Minister said one of the greatest damages caused during the period of the ousted fascist regime was the severe destruction of humanity, compassion, and the country’s long-standing religious and social values. “The brutal killing of an innocent girl in Mirpur has exposed the extreme moral decay in society,” he said, referring to the murder of Ramisa in Dhaka’s Pallabi area. Tarique Rahman also stressed the need to establish the rule of law and bring change to the political culture to build a safe and humane society. “At the same time, we have to revive the country’s long-standing religious, social and cultural values in national life. In this regard, the life and works of Kazi Nazrul Islam remain highly relevant,” he said. Later, Tarique formally inaugurated the three-day event at the Nazrul Mancha on the grounds of Darirampur Nazrul Academy in Trishal. The programme also includes a Nazrul book fair and rural fair.