Rumours are killing innocent people

The media has reported that over the past week, several people were killed, and many were injured, in various parts of the country as people mistook these victims as kidnappers. Most of the victims were innocent.

The most shocking of these incidents was the killing of Taslima Begum Renu (40) who went to a school in Badda of Dhaka to inquire about the admission process for her child. People at the entrance of the school became suspicious about her. Later they attacked her and killed her to death. Taslima has left behind a son (11) and a daughter (4).

When the world is celebrating 50 years of landing on the moon (July 20), many people in Bangladesh are still believing in rumours that heads of children are needed as sacrifice for the construction of the Padma Bridge. This is really shocking when Bangladesh is progressing in many areas.

It is reassuring that the law enforcing agencies are detaining people who are taking part in lynching.

People who see any such incident or are suspicious of certain people should call the 'helpline 999' to get assistance from Bangladesh Police. They should never take the law in their own hands.

A B Siddik

Pirganj, Rangpur