The slaughter of children

We have been covering the steady rise of murder of children nationwide over these past few weeks, but what has happened in Habiganj leaves us speechless. Four children aged 7 to 10 were murdered and buried in a field. The bodies were discovered by chance by a labourer. Although the police are investigating the matter and suspicion lies with two rival groups over the control of the area, it is beyond comprehension how low we have sunk as a people that we commit the most horrendous acts on helpless children. 

The killing of children has become something of a trend and this latest incident was not about mere kidnapping for ransom which points to a severe moral degeneration in society. There is also a general idea that in many cases such crimes go unpunished which has encouraged the criminally inclined to carry out their heinous acts with impunity. The lives of the families have been shattered and we really have no words of condolences for the bereaved ones left behind. 

What is amply clear is that the strongest of punishments must be handed down to those responsible for planning and carrying out these murders. It takes people with no soul to spill the blood of innocents. We must send a clear message to such perpetrators that such diabolic acts will result in the most severe of punishments. We must also examine the factors behind this rise in brutality against children and find all possible solutions to put an end to it.