Child's death in Ctg sewer: City Corpn denies liability, blames family
Negligence shifted to parents as CCC disowns responsibility in Humaira’s death
The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has absolved itself of responsibility in the death of three-year-old Mosammat Humaira, who fell into an open drain in Anandipur, Halishahar on 9 July.
The probe committee formed by city authorities instead blamed the family for the incident, pointing at the lack of supervision and poor safety conditions at the mother's workplace.
Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam said the committee, led by Chief Conservancy Officer Commander Ikhtiyar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, was tasked with submitting the report within a day.
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According to the findings, the drain was situated on private property, which is why it falls outside of the city's jurisdiction. The report noted structural issues, absence of guards, and unattended gate as contributing factors.
'Legally and morally unjust to blame CCC'
Mayor Shahadat Hossain, currently in Canada, supported the committee's conclusion in a written statement. He emphasized that small drains are often uncovered and insisted CCC had no negligence in this case.
He highlighted that the garment factory where the incident occurred also lacked basic safety provisions and security, adding that it was unjust to hold CCC responsible.
To prevent future incidents, the committee recommended implementing child safety protocols at workplaces and paying special attention to children and elderly during waterlogging.
It also called for improving drainage infrastructure, enforcing construction laws, covering open drains, and restricting factories in residential areas.
As CCC proceeds to seek Chattogram Development Authority's (CDA) clarification on the factory's legality, the mayor further added that legal proceedings are underway against the factory owner for violating zoning laws.
Public frustration mounts over repeated tragedies
Despite CCC's exoneration, residents remain angry. Many point to a pattern of unsafe infrastructure in the city that has resulted in 15 drain-related deaths over a decade.
Only one other probe, following six-month-old Seherish's death in Hijra canal this April, was ever commissioned, however that report remains unpublished two and a half months later.
In contrast, Humaira's investigation report was submitted in just 24 hours.
Local residents have criticized this inconsistency, demanding greater accountability and structural reforms to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.
