Father Traced After Two Young Children Rescued from Roadside in Chattogram

The father of two young children who were found abandoned by a roadside in the bitter winter cold in Chattogram’s Anwara upazila has finally been traced, bringing a measure of relief to authorities and concerned citizens alike. On Wednesday afternoon, the man appeared before the Anwara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the local police station, where he formally identified the children as his own and confirmed their identities.

According to police sources, the maternal grandparents’ home of the children is located in Satkania upazila of Chattogram district. Their father’s ancestral home, however, is in Manikchhari upazila of Khagrachhari district. In recent years, economic necessity had brought him to Chattogram, where he earned a modest living by pulling a rickshaw in the Miarbazar area of Banshkhali upazila.

When questioned by officials, the father stated that around six months ago his wife had left home unexpectedly, taking their two children with her without informing him. Despite repeated efforts, he claimed he was unable to locate them and had no information about their whereabouts. His breakthrough came when photographs of the rescued children circulated on social media. Recognising them as his own, he immediately contacted the local administration and travelled to Anwara to cooperate with the authorities and reclaim his parental responsibility.

The children were originally rescued on Sunday evening from the Mazargate area of Barkhain Union in Anwara upazila. The girl is four years old and the boy just two. At the time of their discovery, both were sitting by the roadside in freezing conditions, visibly distressed and vulnerable. Their immediate rescue was carried out by Mahim Uddin, a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw driver, who took the children into his care and ensured their safety and warmth before notifying others. His humane action was widely praised by local residents.

Once the matter became public, the Anwara upazila administration formally assumed responsibility for the children. On Tuesday afternoon, UNO Tahmina Akter took them to meet the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner, who assured that all medical treatment and associated expenses would be borne by the district administration. Subsequently, the girl was placed temporarily in the custody of Mahim Uddin, while the boy—whose physical condition was more serious—was admitted to hospital for urgent medical care.

UNO Tahmina Akter confirmed that the district administration has taken full responsibility for the welfare of both children, emphasising that their safety and wellbeing remain the top priority.

The case has also attracted judicial attention. After a news report titled “Two children found sitting by the roadside in biting cold, rescued by auto-rickshaw driver” was published online, a local court took cognisance of the matter. The court, presided over by Executive Magistrate Md Shakhawat Hossain, directed Anwara Police Station to register a case and ordered a written report by 5 January detailing the steps taken under the Children Act 2013.

Confirming the court order, Anwara Police Station OC Md Junayet Chowdhury said, “The court has sought a detailed account of the measures taken to protect the children. We have located their father and will verify his statements thoroughly before taking further action in accordance with the law.”

The incident has prompted wider discussion on child protection, parental accountability, and the crucial role played by ordinary citizens in safeguarding vulnerable children.

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Authorities have reiterated that all decisions going forward will be guided by the best interests of the children, as investigations and legal procedures continue.