The victims' families strongly demand that the trial into the case filed over murders be completed within the shortest possible time.
On this day last year, police recovered the bodies of Zakaria Ahmed Shuvo, his two cousins Tajel Miah, and Monir Miah, and Ismail Hossain, aged between seven and ten, from a sand quarry of Sundratiki village under the upazila.
They four minor boys went missing on February 12, 2016, when they were playing in the afternoon in a place adjoining their homes.
Monir's father Abdal Mia, also the plaintiff, said: “They authorities concerned primarily promised us that the trial could be completed in 90 days, but to no avail.
“Whenever we appear at court to attend a hearing, the relatives and others loyal to the killers threaten us with life and other dire consequences.”
Even some of the fugitive accused do the same openly when they visit their village home at Sundratiki, he said, adding that the situation has gripped them with fear.
Despite feeling insecure about his life, Abdal Mia still wants justice for the victims, demanding capital punishment of the assailants.
Echoing him, Abdul Aziz, father of slain Tajel, said: “ We just want the trial finished in no time. The souls of our children will find peace, once the murderers are hanged.”
However, he, in a frightened tone, said that they always remain in panic of being attacked either by the killers or their relatives or aides.
“The fugitive convicts frequent in the area secretly. We cannot even move freely because of their threats. I wish they were all arrested.”
Ismail's mother Hajera Begum said: “We are becoming more and more frightened with days going by. So, we just want immediate arrest of the fugitive accused.”
Sajidul Islam, headmaster of Sundratiki Government Primary School, where the four children were students, said that the trial into the case is yet to over, even a year after the murder.
“We want exemplary punishment of the culprits so that such incidents do not recur,” he demanded.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
