13-year-old who fled on launch over madrasa admission row rescued in Dhaka

A 13-year-old girl who ran away from Chandpur on a launch bound for Dhaka, upset after being enrolled in a madrasa against her will, has been rescued by the river police with the help of National Emergency Service 999.

Police Inspector Anwar Sattar, Media and Public Relations Officer of National Emergency Service 999, confirmed the information on Thursday (August 6).

He said that around 7:30 pm on Wednesday (August 5), Kabirul Haque, a teacher at a madrasa in Chandpur Sadar area, called the 999 number and reported that a student named Maimuna (13) had been enrolled in the madrasa against her wishes. Upset over this, she left without telling anyone. It was later learned that the child had boarded the launch "Imam Hasan," heading from Chandpur to Dhaka's Sadarghat.

Upon receiving the information, 999 authorities quickly alerted Chandpur Sadar River Police and Dhaka Sadarghat River Police and coordinated the entire rescue operation.

When the launch reached Sadarghat, members of Dhaka Sadarghat River Police outpost safely rescued the girl. She was later handed over to her family members once they arrived in Dhaka.

Anwar Sattar further said that the 999 call was received by call-taker ASI Humayun. Coordination and oversight of the rescue operation with the relevant river police was handled by 999 Police Dispatcher SI Aoulad Hossain.