Not Napa Syrup, Mother Poisoned Ashuganj Boys

Two boys, who reportedly died from consuming Napa syrup in Brahmanbaria's Ashuganj a week ago, were actually poisoned by their mother, police said after a probe into the closely-watched case.

The woman laced ‘sweets' with poison and gave them to the children to eat, said police.

An extramarital affair was the motive behind the killing, according to the police.

Police arrested Lima Begum, mother of the two dead boys, from Durgapur village on Wednesday.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime & Administration) Mollah Mohammad Shahin of Brahmanbaria District told the media that Lima killed the children as planned. Md. Safiullah has assisted her in this work. Lima had an extramarital affair with Safiullah. Lima has been working in a rice mill for two years. Safiullah got acquainted with her there. '

Additional Superintendent of Police also said that an operation was underway to nab Safiullah.

On March 10, two sons of Ismail Hossain of Durgapur village in Durgapur union of Brahmanbaria's Ashuganj Upazila, seven-year-old Yasin Khan and four-year-old Mursalin Khan died after consuming Napa syrup, relatives alleged.

A separate investigation committee was formed from the Chittagong Divisional Office of the Health Department and the District Civil Surgeon's Office to look into the allegations. The Chemists and Druggists Association has banned the sale of Napa syrup in the entire district.

The pharmacy (Maa pharmacy) from which the family of the children had informed to buy Napa syrup was sealed by the members of the investigation committee. Samples were collected from that pharmacy and sent to Dhaka.

According to the Upazila Drug Administration, the Maa pharmacy was operating without approval. Mainuddin, the owner of the pharmacy, has been on the run since the incident.

Later, the Department of Drug Administration took the initiative to test a batch of Napa Syrup of Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited. Major General Mohammad Yusuf, director-general of the department, said that there was no problem with Napa syrup after the examination.