Cops rescue minor girl after getting call from 999

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) rescued a 10-year-old girl from the capital's Shahjahanpur area late Monday night after a call to the national emergency helpline 999.

The rescue was initiated by a call from Ramel Hawladar, a resident of Chattogram, who reported that his sister had been missing for nearly a month.

Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Muhammad Talebur Rahman provided details on Tuesday, saying that Ramel called 999 around 1am Monday to report that his sister, Moni, was being held in the Shahjahanpur area.

Although he could not provide a specific address, he shared a phone number with police that had been used to contact the child. Using this information, police tracked the child’s location through digital means.

Police eventually located the child at the residence of Zebun Nesa Dolly, director of Deep Shikha Pre-Cadet and High School. Ramel’s stepbrother and maternal uncle, Rashed Uddin, were present during the rescue.

In her initial statement to police, Zebun Nesa Dolly said that a woman named Jharna had brought the child to her home about one and a half months ago to work.

The child's grandmother, Fatema Khatun, and maternal uncle, Rashed Uddin, had arranged for her to come from Hatiya, Noakhali, through Jharna.

The child reported no abuse or forced confinement, while Zebun expressed regret for employing the minor and pledged to avoid child labour in the future.

As no complaints were filed by Ramel Hawladar and Rashed Uddin, police released the child into their custody.