Chhattak (Sunamganj) Correspondent

A newborn baby boy, who was rescued from the side of Ayndargaon Road in Chhatak Upazila of Sunamganj, was stolen from the Chhatak Upazila Health Complex, authorities have claimed. The incident took place around 11 am on Thursday Police have been working to rescue the child since the incident.

It is learnt that on Monday at around 6 pm, CNG-powered autorickshaw driver Kawsar Ahmed stopped his car on the side of Ayndargaon Road after hearing the cry of a newborn baby while returning home from Chhatak. He later went there and rescued a newborn baby boy, approximately 7 days old. It is learnt that the baby was wearing a hospital-used cannula during the rescue.

The rescuer, Kawsar Ahmed, is the son of the deceased Sona Mia of Shibpur (Noagaon) village of Dohalia union in Doarabazar upazila. After rescuing the child, he admitted him to the Chhatak Upazila Health Complex. Since then, he and his wife have been staying at the hospital and taking care of the child.

According to hospital sources, the newborn's physical condition had improved significantly due to treatment and care. Preparations were underway to hand over the child to the appropriate guardian through the social services department following the legal process. Several people had applied for this purpose and the work of verifying and selecting those applications was ongoing.
Upazila Social Service Officer Shah Md. Shafiur Rahman said that several people had applied to adopt the child. The applications were being scrutinized. The child was supposed to be handed over after completing the legal process. But before that, the child was taken from the hospital.

Chhatak Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Nusrat Arefin said that Kawsar Ahmed left the hospital with the child around 11 am on Thursday. The police were informed immediately after learning about the matter.

Authorities claim that Kawsar Ahmed, with the help of his wife, stole the newborn baby from the hospital before the legal process was completed. His mobile phone has been switched off since he took the baby. He could not be found at the address he had given, according to sources.

Chhatak Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman said, "The operation to rescue the child is underway. The matter is being viewed seriously. The police are working to rescue the child quickly."

The incident has created a huge stir in the area. The incident has taken on a new dimension as the person who rescued the abandoned baby and admitted him to the hospital was later accused of taking the baby away from the hospital. Locals have expressed concern over the safety and current whereabouts of the newborn baby.