Meem and Sumaiya, only 6 years and 18 months old respectively, lost their parents in the devastating landslide in a Rangamati town on June 13. But in the aftermath of the tragedy, they have found a guardian in Mohammad Manzurul Mannan, deputy commissioner of Rangamati.    

In a unique gesture, the DC has undertaken complete responsibility of raising the two children until they become self reliant. From now, they will be treated as 'the children of the DC office'. 

The DC office will bear all the expenses they need for food, healthcare, education and clothing.

Mannan disclosed the matter of taking the children's responsibility at a seminar on Landslides in CHT: Causes and Prevention in the capital.

At the seminar, state minister for CHT affairs Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing termed the DC's initiative as “a noble move” and gave Tk two lakh to the two children.

He also said, “If there is anything to do for them, the ministry will do so from time to time.”

The Daily Star spoke to the DC afterwards to learn the details of the initiative.

Asked why he took such a measure, the DC said a bond of affection and love began to grow between him and the two children when he used to visit them at the shelters after the landslides.

“I thought of doing something for them when people from USA, Germany and Dhaka wanted to adopt them and their relatives did not agree and sought my help,” he said.

“I brought them to the DC office on August 16 and announced undertaking their complete care,” he said adding that Meem and Sumaiya's uncle and grandmother are not well-off and could not take care of them properly.  

Additionally, their parental uncle and grandmother will also get food and other facilities from the DC office from now on, he said.  

The DC said Meem and Sumaiya will be raised as his own children.

“They will come to the DC's Bungalow and taken out for recreation. They will enjoy whatever facilities my children enjoy. I will make sure of it at any cost,” he said, adding that the two children will be nurtured with love and care that their parents would have given them had they been alive.  

Besides, a magistrate from the DC office will look after where they will be living and assess their needs.

When queried what will happen after he leaves the office, the DC responded by saying, “I believe anyone who comes after will continue this initiative. However, wherever I am posted, I too will do whatever is in my capacity to help them.'

“Till I am alive I will be taking care of them. Before I die, I will ensure financial security for them also,” the DC said.