Awami League President Sheikh Hasina Expresses Grief, Condemns Killing of 13-Year-Old Apratim in Cumilla

Special Correspondent

Ishiat Shahriar Apratim, the 13-year-old teenage son of a public university teacher in Comilla, was brutally murdered within 24 hours of being abducted from a secure residential area. Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep shock and protest over the incident.

In a statement, Sheikh Hasina said that this killing has sent a message of insecurity to the entire nation. She is saddened, angry and shocked by it and strongly condemned and protested the killing. At the same time, she condemned the government’s failure.

In the statement, he mentioned that according to recently released data, 15,717 missing children were reported missing from January to July 2026, which is an average of about 75 per day. Of these, about 13 percent of the children have not been found and many of those who have returned have returned dead. He also mentioned that 254 children have been murdered in the last eight months.

Sheikh Hasina also said that evidence of rape has been found in the killing of children in various places including Pabna, Sylhet, Pallabi, Banasree, Jamalpur, Panchagarh. She also mentioned the recent tragic incidents in Manikganj, Khulna, Gazipur and Sunamganj.

In the statement, he said, “Proper investigation and justice must be ensured for those who are being killed every day, including Ishiat Shahriar Aparatim. He also called for ensuring a safe environment so that no child or person is killed.”

Sheikh Hasina prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of the deceased Apratim and wished his family strength to bear the loss. She expressed her resolve to establish justice and rule of law in the country and pledged to stand with the countrymen in the goal of building a safe Bangladesh for all.