Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka
Dhaka, Sep 21: At least 155 children were killed across Bangladesh between January and August this year in incidents involving murder following disappearance, rape, physical abuse and other forms of violence, local media reported, citing human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).
According to the Dhaka-based rights body, the bodies of 36 children reported missing were recovered during the first eight months of the year. Another 68 children died due to physical abuse, while 49 were killed in incidents of family-related violence.
A total of 26 children, including two boys, were killed after being raped, ASK said.
The rights organisation reported that four children died following attempted rape, while three were shot dead. Two domestic workers died due to physical abuse, two children were killed by stalkers and another was killed following abduction.
During the same period, ASK recorded 99 cases involving suicide, mysterious deaths and the recovery of children's bodies, according to the Dhaka Tribune.
The recovery of bodies of missing children is part of a wider pattern of violence against minors in Bangladesh, with recent cases involving rape and murder, fatal physical abuse and the killing of children along with their family members.
In several cases, the accused were reportedly known to the victims.
Multiple cases involving the killing of children have emerged across Bangladesh in recent weeks.
A 10-year-old child who went missing from Pabna Sadar on September 9 was found dead in a ditch seven days later. Police said the child had been raped and killed, and two people were arrested in connection with the case.
In another case, the body of a seven-year-old child who disappeared after leaving for school in Madarganj, Jamalpur, on September 10 was found buried beneath the floor of a classmate's house the following day.
Police said the classmate's father had raped and killed the child. Two people were arrested in connection with the case.
The Dhaka Tribune, citing reports, also said seven children were killed alongside other family members in four separate incidents.
The violence against children has coincided with a continuing problem of children going missing across Bangladesh.
Various media reports said more than 15,000 children disappeared nationwide between January and July this year.
Bangladesh Police Headquarters said in a press release earlier this month that 15,717 children had gone missing during the first seven months of the year.
Of them, 13,679 children were traced, while 2,038 remained missing, accounting for nearly 13 per cent of the total.