Joy of Eid elusive for slain kids' families in Habiganj

The Eid-ul-Fitr hardly brought any joy for the families of four slain kids at Sundratiki village under Bahubal upazila of Habiganj as they are still reeling from the brutal murders in February this year.

"I feel sorrowful after my son's death. How can we celebrate Eid?" Salema Begum, mother of Monir Miah, a victim, told this correspondent yesterday.

"Eid brings nothing but bittersweet memories of my son," said Amina Khatun, mother of decreased Tajel.

Minara Begum, mother of Ismail, said "How could anyone commit such a crime? Where shall I seek justice?"

Wahid Miah, the devastated father of victim Zakaria Ahmed Shuvo, 8, is still reeling from the fact that his son is no more. "With whom will we celebrate Eid? My son will never come back," he said.

According to the charge sheet submitted on April 5, one Abdul Ali, 60, ordered the killing. His son Rubel Mia, 18, Habibur Rahman Arju, 25, and Bachchu Mia, 32, abducted the kids and killed them. Ali's another son Jewel Miah, 20, Shahed Ahmed Bashir, 32, Billal Mia, 30, Ustar Miah, 48, and Babul Mia, 45, aided and abetted the killers. They all are residents of Sundratiki village.

The court accepted the charges on June 28.

Of the accused, Billal Mia, Ustar Mia and Babul Mia are on the run, while Bachchu was killed in a "gunfight" with the Rapid Action Battalion in Chunarughat upazila of the district on February 25.