Adulterated mango

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We are horrified to see in the newspapers the detection of tonnes of mango, adulterated with extremely harmful chemicals such as carbide, for ripening. What are we taking in the name of mango in that case? Are we poisoning us and our future generations to gradual painful death by cancer and other incurable deadly diseases? This is a clear case of poisoning the entire population of the society which should demand capital punishment for the offenders.

But what a mockery of justice the offenders were only served with three- month's simple imprisonment! Is it the right kind of punishment for a crime of such magnitude? Anywhere in other parts of the world the offenders of such horrible crime would get death sentence without any question.

We have seen pouring of chemicals (poison) on fish, bananas, grapes and pineapples indiscriminately by the criminal traders, but only this time we have seen that even the mangoes and jackfruits also are not spared. This malpractice is going on unabated due to the weakness and time consuming-procedures of our legal system.

Imagine, only three-month's simple imprisonment for poisoning the entire population of the society! We demand immediate amendment of the law to serve death penalty on special courts for such offenders within the shortest possible time, say within a week, with no scope for any higher appeal by the offenders. Otherwise, those greedy criminals in the disguise of traders will never stop such a dreadful activity.

Mohammad Ataul Hoque

Dhaka