Police yet to trace whereabouts

Over a month has passed since a newborn was stolen from Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), but police are yet to trace its whereabouts. 

Meanwhile, parents of the baby demanded that the investigation be taken over by the Detective Branch of Chittagong Metropolitan Police as they were not "happy" with the investigation conducted by Panchlaish Police Station.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Shafiul Alam, father of the baby, expressed his frustration over the investigation's "slow progress".

The 14-day-old baby boy was stolen within the few minutes his mother and grandmother left him alone in the hospital bed to look for his three-year-old older brother on July 15.

Shaiful, driver of a CNG-run auto-rickshaw, said he filed a case with Panchlaish Police Station and went there many times, but he has been disheartened by the officials' attitudes toward the incident.

"They say the investigation is going on but how long will we have to wait? When will they find out where my baby is?" asked Shafiul.

He added that he wants DB to take over the investigation.

Contacted, Mohiuddin Mahmud, officer-in-charge of Panchlaish Police Station, said two persons were arrested at CMCH following the incident, but no information was gleaned from them.

The OC said they are trying to find the baby.  

CMP Commissioner Abdul Jalil Mondol said the police station concerned is investigating the case and he believes that they will get a breakthrough soon.

"Guardians and the hospital authorities should be careful so that such incidents do not occur," he said, adding, "If the CMCH authorities took preventive measures, the baby would not be stolen."