We have been covering this issue for some time now in this newspaper. Hence when it comes to light that 13 mass killing grounds of Pakistani occupation army during the war of liberation in 1971 are lying in neglect we take great offence.

We find it appalling that there can be such blatant disregard for human life. In a harrowing image published in The Daily Star yesterday, the failure to ensure workers' safety was shamefully evident. In the photograph, a worker of a power distribution company was seen to be working without any safety gear, precariously leaning against a bamboo plant against power cables.

We do not need studies to tell us that indiscriminate, unplanned urbanisation, along with encroachment of land and water bodies, have polluted the air and water making our urban areas, unlivable.

We find it shocking and ironic that on International Human Rights Day yesterday, this paper has reported a total of the 154 incidents of enforced disappearances.

Despite widespread international condemnation and an agreement between Myanmar and Bangladesh for Myanmar to stop the violence against its minorities, and to take back its nationals who have sought shelter in Bangladesh, nothing has changed as yet.

We seldom think about what our discarded electronics do to the environment; they contain harmful substances like mercury that do not degrade with time but seep through the soil and are toxic in nature.

We are shocked to learn that at least five of the 13 convicts, who were awarded death sentences or life terms in the Biswajit Das murder case, are roaming free, although police records say they are "fugitives".

An in depth story in this Friday's Star Weekend magazine gives a chilling picture of child sexual abuse in our society and how the system works against the survivors.

A recent study by a think-tank has exposed the underbelly of the development scenario in Bangladesh in which rising GDP growth and rising income and wealth inequalities walk hand in hand.

We are outraged by President Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The move should draw the unreserved contempt of those who want to see peace in the Middle East based on the two-state solution of the Palestine issue.

We simply do not understand how the student wing of the ruling political party of the country can dare to threaten people and commit crimes over and over again, and no meaningful action is taken against them.

It has come to light that yet another person has also gone missing following a string of high-profile disappearances that include NSU teacher Mubashar Hasan who went missing exactly a month ago.

It is astounding that 32.5 lakh tonnes of imported goods worth Tk 9,509 crore have been lying unclaimed for months at 17 sea and land customs houses and stations nationwide.

It is ironic to think that in this day and age, 3,500 students of four educational institutions in Ranachandi and Garagram unions of Nilphamari's Kishoreganj upazila have to cross a “bridge” made of bamboos twice a day.

The failure of university authorities to hold election of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU)—violating the express provisions of Articles 4 and 20 of the Dhaka University Order, 1973 (President's Order No 11 of 1973) and the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 27 of the constitution—for 27 years now is completely incomprehensible.

We applaud the High Court for its landmark verdict on the compensation case filed under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1983, by the family of Tareque Masud for his death in a road crash six years ago.

The healthcare system in Bangladesh has been under a lot of scrutiny lately. In a recent drive against private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Mohammadpur on Wednesday raid by the Rapid Action Battalion and Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) found hospitals and diagnostic centres in a deplorable state.

It has been 20 years since the Accord was penned between the Shanti Bahini and the government of Bangladesh, but still one hears a murmur of frustration in the Hills over the fact that not all the provisos of the Accord have been fully implemented.

The use of noise emitting devices or “sonic weapons” by the police on Thursday, against peaceful protestors remonstrating against the government's decision to increase power prices for the umpteenth time this year—a genuine complaint—is an absolute shame.

We are deeply saddened by the passing away of Mayor Annisul Huq who has been fighting against a rare cerebral disease for the last three months. He left behind not only his family, relatives and a legion of friends from diverse walks of life but also many citizens who admired and respected him for his work as Dhaka North City Corporation's mayor.