Child Muntaha found dead in pond

After a frantic search, the body of five-year-old Muntaha Akter Jarin was found in a pond near her home early Sunday (November 10).

Muntaha, whose neck was wrapped with rope, was found dead in the pond near her home around 4 am.

Police are interrogating two women in this connection.

Muntaha, daughter of Shamim Ahmed, was last seen around 3pm on November 3, before she went missing from Kanaighat in Sylhet.

Kanaighat Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Abdul Awal said the body of child Muntaha was found in a pond near her home early Sunday. Her neck was wrapped with rope and her body has injury marks. Seeing the body, it became clear that the child was dumped in the pond after killing.

Two women have been taken into police custody for interrogation over the incident, the OC said.

Muntaha was the daughter of Shamim Ahmed, a resident of Birodal village in the Sadar Union of Kanaighat Upazila. Her father has alleged that she was intentionally abducted, and a General Diary (GD) was filed at the local police station following her disappearance. The family had also announced a reward of Tk 1 lakh for anyone who could help identify the “kidnapper.”

Earlier, on the morning of November 3, Muntaha returned home with her father after attending a local religious gathering. She later went out to play with other children in the neighbourhood. When she did not return by evening, her family began searching for her.