Kidnappings for ransom followed by infanticides bring back the horror of the 1990s

❐ Special Correspondent

At one time, the most feared crime in Bangladesh was kidnapping children for ransom. In the 1990s and beyond, families were terrified of this crime.

Due to continuous operations by law enforcement agencies, arrests of criminals and strict punishments, such crimes were largely brought under control at one stage. But after a few decades, the old fear is returning in a new form. There have been concerns about a series of child kidnappings, ransom demands and murders in different parts of the country.

The most frightening thing is that now it is not just organized criminal gangs, but in many cases the names of acquaintances, neighbors or close people are coming up. The cruelty of taking the lives of innocent children for ransom ranging from just a few thousand taka to several lakh taka is shaking the conscience of society. In some places, cases of killing children and hiding their bodies for 30 thousand taka, in some places 1 lakh, and in some places 3 lakh taka have come to light.

The murder of child Jaihan in Patiya, Chittagong, is one of the most talked about incidents of recent times. 5-year-old child Jaihan was kidnapped from in front of his house. Later, a ransom of 3 lakh taka was demanded from his family. The child was also threatened with being killed if the money was not paid and the matter was reported to the police.

But after the family sought police assistance, the kidnappers killed the child out of fear of being caught. Later, his body was recovered from a garbage dump in a bag. Investigation revealed allegations of involvement of known people in the incident.

The kidnapping of two-year-old Takrim in Fatulla, Narayanganj, also showed how dangerously criminals are targeting children. According to the allegations, a neighboring couple tricked the child into abducting him.

Later, a ransom of 1 lakh taka was demanded from the family using a social media app. The child was threatened with death if the money was not paid. However, the police were able to rescue the child alive after conducting a quick operation in this incident.

The opposite picture was seen in the case of the murder of child Alham in the Rohingya camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. The family alleged that the child was kidnapped and a ransom of 1 lakh taka was demanded. But after the money was not received, he was killed. Later, his body was recovered from inside the camp. This incident of taking the life of a child for a small amount of money has spread panic among the locals.

The murder of teenage Rafiz in Alamdanga, Chuadanga is another example of the same horror. Rafiz, a child of an expatriate family, was kidnapped and a ransom of 1.2 million taka was demanded. It was alleged that he was killed because he could not collect the money from his family and because he feared his identity would be leaked. Later, the police arrested those involved in the operation.

A similar picture is seen in the kidnapping of child Samiul Islam in Aditmari, Lalmonirhat. The miscreants abducted the three-and-a-half-year-old child while he was playing in the yard of his house. Later, they called the family and demanded a ransom of 2 lakh taka. Such crimes involving small children have once again raised the question – where is the child’s safety?

The murder of a child in Feni has also come under renewed discussion. According to the allegations, he was kidnapped by people he knew. Later, a ransom was demanded from the family. When the money was late, they killed him and tried to hide his body. The court has ordered strict punishment in this incident.

According to crime analysts, several factors are at work behind the resurgence of crimes such as child kidnapping and ransom demands. These include the tendency to make easy money, the decline of social values, the decrease in fear of punishment among criminals, and the opportunity to conduct crimes using technology.

Crime analysts say that in the past, child abduction was mainly the work of organized criminal gangs. Now, in many cases, the perpetrators are seen as people in the neighborhood, acquaintances, or opportunists. As a result, families are not able to understand from whom to keep their children safe.

Law enforcement officials say that rapid rescue operations are being carried out in cases of kidnapping and the use of technology has been increased. However, at the same time, parents are also being advised to be vigilant. They are especially talking about increasing attention to children’s movements, contact with strangers and safety issues outside the family.

Human rights activists say that arrests alone will not stop this crime. What is needed is speedy trial, exemplary punishment, and social awareness. Because no justice can fill the void left by a child’s family after the loss of their life.

A crime that Bangladesh had once almost forgotten has resurfaced as a new horror. The ransom note is no longer just a piece of paper—it is becoming a symbol of fear, uncertainty, and the fear of losing a child for many families.