Human rights activists and social organisations formed a human chain at Shaheed Minar in Satkhira on Wednesday, demanding the arrest and trial of those responsible for the murder of child Apratim and other children killed across the country. The programme was chaired by Swadesh Executive Director Madhab Chandra Dutta, with speakers including MSF Coordinator Adv Saidur Rahman, senior journalists Kalyan Banerjee and M Kamruzzaman, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Anjuara Mili, General Secretary Jyotsna Dutta, and representatives from HRDF, HRD Coalition, Human Rights Lawyers Forum, HRD Network, Uttaran, SIDO, HEAD, Crescent Youth School Girls Group and Sundarban Foundation, among others.

Speakers cited data from Ain o Salish Centre (ASK) showing that 36 missing children's bodies were recovered in the first eight months of the year, while 155 children were killed during the same period — 68 through physical torture, 49 in domestic settings, and 26 after rape. They also referenced Police Headquarters data indicating that 15,717 children went missing between January and July, of whom 13,679 were rescued while 2,038 remain missing. The speakers expressed grave concern over the rising trend of child disappearances and murders, and urged the government to adopt a firm stance and strict administrative measures to protect children and ensure justice for victims.