Dhaka, May 23 -- Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday described the rape and killing of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter as a 'national pain' and 'national shame', saying that the perpetrators must be brought to justice as quickly as possible under the existing laws.

"The government has taken all measures to bring the criminals to justice as soon as possible under the existing laws of the country," he said.

The minister made the remarks, while responding to questions from journalists after a financial assistance distribution programme for disadvantaged children organised by the Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq Foundation in the city's Pallabi area.

Noting that such brutal incidents, including Ramisa's one, are extremely tragic, he...