Woman, daughters left to starve: None can avoid responsibility, says brother

One of the siblings of Shafana Afifa Shemi, who was rescued with her twin daughters in critical condition from their Uttara flat, came to see her at the hospital today.

Nadim, one of Shemi's brothers, who came from Khulna today, said, "There is no scope to neglect my sister and two nieces. Everyone in the family has to take responsibility. They cannot avoid it."

Shemi is taking treatment at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, while her twin daughters are undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital (NIMHH).

"Soon after Shemi's mother gave the deed of the flat to her, her [Shemi's] brothers opposed the decision," said Muzahidul Islam, inspector (investigation) of Uttara East Police Station. "Since then, they've had a strained relationship."

Due to the financial crisis, Shemi's daughters were unable to continue their studies, added the official.

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Abandoned, left to starve

"We are currently monitoring the two children's mental health. "Something can be said by Sunday," said Helal Uddin, a NIMHH professor.

Earlier on Monday, Shemi's stepbrother, the eldest among the siblings, came to the hospital and gave her Tk 3,000 to buy clothes upon her request.

According to police, there was no food inside Shemi's flat when officials of the Department of Social Services went there after the rescue.

The officials found only some salt and a source of water -- through which the mother and daughters were able to survive.

There were even no clothes for the children nor the mother in the house, except for what they were wearing, presumably for a very long time, they added.

The apartment had no electricity or gas supply.

According to a relative, Shemi was unable to pay the bills and so the lines had been snapped several days ago.

Police were notified about the mother and children after a call from someone in the building and later rescued them with the help of the Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Nobody had seen them come out of the flat for the past 15 days, said Abdur Rahman, the security guard of the building, adding that they often heard the cries of the two children.