Five children allegedly sold for drug money in Katiadi

Five children belonging to four families have been reportedly sold for money to pay for drug addiction in Kishoreganj's Katiadi.

According to locals, the children have been sold for Tk 20,000 to Tk 2 lakh at different times. Some have reportedly been sold again to other people in return of higher prices, creating apprehensions about the safety and whereabouts of the children.

The alleged cases have happened in Uttar Charpukshia village of Jalalpur union, where locals claim rampant drug addiction is happening.

They have claimed a baby was sold for Tk 60,000 on September 2, while another four children have reportedly been sold for Tk 20,000, Tk 77,000, Tk 1.5 lakh and Tk 2 lakh.

They also complained that their children are now being introduced to drugs and fear expressing their concerns about the issue.

Speaking about the issue, Jalalpur Union Parishad Chairman Md Rafiqul Islam told that he came to know about the selling of five children in order to pay for drug addiction. He assured of cooperating with the administration to address the issue.

Meanwhile, Katiadi Model Police Station OC Md Rafiqul Islam has confirmed receiving the allegations and would take legal actions against drug abuse and the child-selling claims.

-AJM