Sitakunda (Chittagong) Correspondent:
Jannatul Nisha Ira, a 7-year-old second-grade student who was found with her throat slit at Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Ecopark in Chittagong, has died while undergoing treatment. The police have arrested the main accused in the incident. Ira died while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Chittagong Medical College (CMC) Hospital at around 4:30 am on Tuesday (March 3). Her uncle Md. Ramiz confirmed the matter.
On Sunday (March 1) morning, workers engaged in the Chandranath Temple Road renovation work rescued the child with her throat slit in the remote hilly area of Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Ecopark. She was first taken to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex. Later, when her condition deteriorated, she was admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Ira underwent surgery on her throat at CMC on Sunday.
When she was taken to the One-Stop Crisis Center (OCC) on Monday, her condition deteriorated further. She was shifted to the ENT ward again. She died in the ICU early on Tuesday, March 3. Ira is the daughter of Monirul Islam, a poor rickshaw puller from Masterpara village in Kumira union of Sitakunda. According to family sources, Ira had left her home to go to her grandfather’s house as usual as the school was closed.
But she was found dead about 15 kilometers from home. Doctors said that the child had serious injury marks on her body and it was initially confirmed that she had been raped.
On the night of the incident, Sunday, March 1, the child’s mother filed a case with Sitakunda police station on charges of kidnapping and attempt to murder. After the child’s death, the case is being converted into a murder case.
Chittagong Additional Superintendent of Police (Industrial Area and DB) Md. Russell said, “The main accused in the incident, the main accused, neighbor Mahabub Sheikh, has been arrested. Detailed information will be given at the press conference.”
The incident of child Ira has drawn nationwide criticism. Although the police could not find any clues, CCTV footage from Chandranath Dham Hill was analyzed by RAB-7 and the police in a joint effort.
The footage shows a middle-aged man carrying Ira towards Chandranath Dham. Family members identified the man as their neighbor, Mahbub (50). Later, the police conducted a raid and arrested him.
Sitakunda Police Station OC Md. Mohinul Islam confirmed the incident and said that the murderer has been identified and arrested after looking at the CCTV footage. He said that the culprit will be sent to court for appropriate punishment.
Ira’s uncle Aziz said, “She was still talking to us by gestures at around 9:30 pm on Monday. Later, around 2:30 am, her condition deteriorated. She was asking for water and food by gestures, but we could not give her anything as the doctors had forbidden it.” The family claims that the child tried to make a name by pointing before his death.
The brutal incident has created widespread anger and grief in the area. Locals have demanded speedy trial and exemplary punishment. After the attempted murder of the child in Iraq, the case is now turning into a full-fledged murder case with the rescue from a remote mountain, treatment, filing of a case, death and arrest of the main accused.