More Than 2,000 Children Still Missing in Bangladesh After Seven Months

DHAKA — More than 2,000 children remain missing in Bangladesh after seven months of the year, prompting the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad to express deep concern over the growing number of cases across the country, including in the capital Dhaka.

In a statement signed by the organisation’s president, Dr. Fauzia Moslem, and general secretary, Maleka Banu, the women’s rights organisation urged authorities to strengthen surveillance, take immediate measures to locate missing children and identify criminal networks involved in their disappearance.

According to police data cited by the organisation, 15,717 general diaries (GDs) were filed over missing children between January and July this year. Of those reported missing, 13,679 children were rescued or returned to their families, while 2,038 remained unaccounted for.

The organisation said the figures indicate an alarming rise in cases of children going missing in different parts of the country, creating fear and a growing sense of insecurity among the public.

The Mahila Parishad warned that children who remain missing for extended periods could potentially fall victim to human trafficking networks or be drawn into criminal activities. It said the incidents also highlight gaps in social security and child protection mechanisms.

According to the statement, children go missing in a variety of circumstances, including while playing near their homes, returning from school, being lured by strangers or unfamiliar people, or becoming lost in unfamiliar areas.

The organisation stressed that authorities must not only ensure the immediate safety of children but also investigate the underlying causes of their disappearances.

It called on the administration and law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to trace all missing children, identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad also urged the authorities to ensure appropriate punishment for individuals and criminal groups found to be involved in the disappearance or trafficking of children.