11-year-old Ayesha rescued after TBS report, three abductors arrested
Investigations found that the abduction was planned by a woman named Rashida Begum
Following a video report by The Business Standard, 11-year-old Ayesha Akter Ramisa, who went missing nearly two and a half months ago, has been safely rescued.
TBS had published the report on 20 August, highlighting several cases of missing children in Dhaka, including Ayesha, a fifth-grade student who disappeared on the morning of 10 August around 7:30am while leaving her home in Nabinagar Housing, Mohammadpur, to go to school.
The report prompted law enforcement to intensify their search. After weeks of investigation, Ayesha was rescued from Narayanganj, and three individuals involved in her abduction were arrested. On 27 October, she was handed over to her family through a court.
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Reunited with their daughter after more than two months, Ayesha's family expressed overwhelming joy. Maksuda Begum, her mother, said, "I went mad with grief after my daughter went missing. TBS ran the report, and after that, the police treated the case seriously. That's why my daughter has come back to me today. I want those who carried out this abduction to face severe punishment under the law."
Her father, Md Alamgir Hossain, thanked both TBS and law enforcement, saying, "If TBS had not broadcast this news, the police would not have worked so hard. Many people saw the report, and the administration worked tirelessly to rescue my daughter. We have her back now, but we must ensure this gang cannot harm anyone else. They must face severe punishment in court."
Ayesha described how the abductors took her and said she is happy to be back with her family.
Investigations found that the abduction was planned by a woman named Rashida Begum, who lived on the fifth floor of Ayesha's building, and another woman named Khadija. Their plan was to traffic Ayesha abroad. Rashida was known to the family and had worked as a "dai" (traditional birth attendant) in the area.
Masuma, sub-inspector of the Tejgaon Victim Support Center, said, "Three individuals have been arrested and sent to court. The court has placed Ayesha in the custody of her father."
Tauhidul Haque, a teacher at Dhaka University's Social Welfare and Research Institute and a crime expert, told TBS, "The rescue of Ayesha is a positive development. However, law enforcement should increase efforts to recover other missing children. Such cases must be investigated with utmost importance."
