To prevent snake infestation, a neighbour had kept carbolic acid-filled bottles near his house. A five-year-old child mistook it for a cold drink and consumed it. As a result, the child died within a short span of time. This tragic incident occurred at Bijoyganj Bazar in Bhangar. The deceased child's name is Shamim Ali Molla (5). He could not be saved despite being taken to Jirengacha Rural Hospital and Chittaranjan Medical College Hospital. The child died on Wednesday night in Kolkata. The family has been devastated by the painful death of their beloved son.
Shamim was the youngest among three children of Mojam Ali, a resident of Bijoyganj Bazar area. Shamim had been unable to speak since childhood. Right next to Mojam's house was the house and shop of neighbour Kuddus Alam. For several days, snakes' movement had increased around Kuddus's shop and house. So he had placed bottles of carbolic acid around his house and shop to drive away snakes. On Tuesday afternoon, while Shamim was playing outside the house, he got hold of an acid bottle. He was fond of cold drinks. Mistaking the acid bottle for a cold drink bottle, he poured some acid into his mouth. Immediately, his throat and part of his mouth got burned. The innocent child started screaming. Within a short time, he became unconscious.
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The worried family rushed Shamim to Jirengacha Rural Hospital. From there, he was transferred to Chittaranjan National Medical College Hospital in Kolkata. But all efforts by the doctors failed. Police have sent the body for post-mortem. No written complaint has been filed at Uttar Kashipur police station regarding the incident so far. However, neighbours have raised questions about Kuddus's action.
