Since Saturday morning, a claim that ‘35 children have been reported missing in 48 hours’ has been circulating widely on Facebook, causing panic among parents. However, police have dismissed the claim as a “baseless rumor.”
Adabor Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mahbubur Rahman told UNB, “We have not received any such information.” Similar statements were made by Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nur Alam, who confirmed they have no information to support the claim.
Various Facebook groups have posted alarming messages, stating: “Breaking news, 35 children have gone missing in Dhaka and Chittagong in the last 48 hours.”
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operation) Khandaker Mohid Uddin reiterated that the DMP has no evidence of 35 children going missing within 48 hours.
He noted that from May 4 to 6, 33 general diaries (GD) were filed regarding missing children. From June 4 to 6, 36 GDs were filed in 72 hours, and from July 4 to 6, 32 GDs were filed in the same period.
“The information being circulated on social media that ‘35 children went missing in 48 hours’ is not correct at all,” said the DMP additional commissioner.
He also reassured the public that most of the children reported missing are eventually found.
Police threaten legal action against spreading rumou
Meanwhile, Police headquarters have issued a strong warning against the spread of rumors regarding missing children, urging the public not to be confused or panicked.
In a press release today, police have emphasized that the claim circulating on Facebook, which states “35 children have been reported missing in 48 hours,” is false.
The claim, which has been widely shared since Saturday morning, has caused considerable panic among parents. The police have made it clear that such rumors are baseless and that legal action will be taken against those responsible for spreading them.
The police urge the public to verify information through official channels and to report any concerns directly to law enforcement authorities.