Culprits must be punished: Nasim

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday said the government would punish the criminals involved in last month's shooting of a pregnant woman that injured both the mother and her unborn baby in Magura.

He was talking to reporters after visiting Nazma Khatun and her daughter Suraiya at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 2:00pm.

Earlier around 11:30am, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki also visited the two patients, who are being kept separately in the hospital.

Later, Chumki told journalists that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had directed the law enforcers to bring the criminals to trial without considering their party affiliation. 

The arrest of six accused in the case proved that the government was not indulged in any crime, she added.

The state minister handed over a cheque for Tk 50,000 to Nazma.

Kaniz Hasina Sheuli, associate professor of Department of Pediatric Surgery at DMCH, yesterday said the condition of the newborn was improving but still she was not out of danger.

The baby was taking 12 ml breast milk in every two hours which was initially 2 ml in every three hour, the doctor said.

Meanwhile, police yesterday produced three accused, including Magura Chhatra League Vice-president Sen Suman, before a district court and sought a 10-day remand for Suman.

The court fixed August 9 for hearing the remand plea, said Imaul Haque, officer-in-charge of Detective Branch of police in Magura.

During a factional clash between Jubo League men on July 23, eight-month-pregnant Nazma was shot in the abdomen. The bullet pierced through her baby's right shoulder, also injuring her right eye.