A YOUNG factory worker, Azharul Islam Suman, was killed in Naraynganj on Saturday when some persons inserted a high-pressured air nozzle into his rectum and activated it. We have no word to express our shock and agony seeing the brutal method of torture and killing a man. The occurrence could be compared with the incidents of medieval age when social and formal justice systems were far away from the reach of common people. It is really hard to understand the psychological indicators of the crime as to why the cruel process of punishment or torture has been invented in this digital era. These incidents of brutal killing have been increasing despite enactment of strict law.
It was the fifth incident of killing by inserting high-pressured air nozzle into the rectum. In 2016, a 10-year-old boy named Sagar Barman who worked in a spinning mill at Rupganj of Narayanganj died after other workers inserted a high-pressured nozzle into his rectum. In 2015, a 13-year-old boy Rakib Hawlader was killed in the same fashion in a vehicle workshop in Khulna in retaliation for leaving his job. Two men were sentenced to death over the case, which sparked large protests. The third, a 10-year-old Yamin was killed at a spinning mill in Sonargaon and the fourth child a victim of same torture was killed at Kahalu in Bogura district.
We do admit sincerely, child labour is common in Bangladesh, with many children working often in harsh conditions. Samiul Alam Rajon was beaten to death by some persons after allegedly stealing a bicycle in Sylhet. Four men were sentenced to death over that killing. But this time, the victim was not a minor boy. He was a young man of 35 years.
The social organisations along with the media will have to play a key role in creating awareness in the society against this type of brutality. Have there any social or psychological reason? We must also find an answer why these incidents are increasing despite exemplary punishments in some cases. Such cruelty cannot be tolerated in a civilised country.
