Teen girl travels from Dhaka to meet boyfriend she met on Facebook-TikTok, allegedly raped in Cumilla
Teen Girl Travels from Dhaka, Rescued in Cumilla
Bdbusinessdaily.com – A teen girl travels from Dhaka to Cumilla to meet a man she had met through Facebook and TikTok, before she was allegedly sexually assaulted in an isolated area of Burichang Upazila, police said. Officers later rescued her and sent her to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for a medical examination.
The teenage girl, who works as a domestic helper in Gulshan, Dhaka, is an orphan originally from Narsingdi. Police identified the accused as 21-year-old Rajib Ahmed, a resident of Mirpur village in Mainamati Union who works at a shop in the Cumilla Cantonment area.
Online Relationship Led to Cumilla Meeting
According to police and local residents, the girl had developed a romantic relationship with Rajib after connecting with him on Facebook and TikTok. She travelled from Dhaka to Cumilla to meet him on Friday, 25 September.
She arrived in the Cumilla area at about 9pm. Police said Rajib allegedly took her from the Mainamati cantonment area towards a secluded location southeast of Mainamati Government Primary School in Burichang.
The alleged assault occurred later that night. The girl eventually began calling out for help, and the accused fled from the area, police said.
999 Call Brings Police to the Scene
Local people alerted the national emergency helpline 999 after learning about the incident. Officers from Debpur Police Outpost reached the location after 2am on Saturday, 26 September, and rescued the girl.
Surejit Barua, officer in charge of Debpur Police Outpost, confirmed that she was taken to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for medical examination.
“She was sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for medical examination.”
Police launched an operation to locate and arrest Rajib Ahmed. No arrest had been confirmed when the information was released.
Police Continue Search for the Accused
Investigators are examining the circumstances of the girl’s journey, her meeting with the accused and the alleged assault near Mainamati Government Primary School. Medical findings and any evidence gathered during the investigation may form part of the legal process.
The case drew attention because a teen girl travels from Dhaka after forming an online relationship and then found herself in an unfamiliar location. The rescue was made possible after people nearby contacted emergency services and police responded during the night.
Authorities had not disclosed further details about the investigation. Police said efforts were continuing to trace the accused and determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Online Safety and Emergency Support
Online platforms allow people to communicate quickly, but conversations and profiles may not always reveal a person’s true identity, intentions or circumstances. This can create additional risks when someone plans to meet an online contact in person, especially in an unfamiliar area.
People arranging an in-person meeting with someone first known through the internet can take practical precautions. Meeting in a busy public place, telling a trusted person where they are going, sharing travel details and keeping a phone accessible can help ensure that support is available if needed.
These precautions do not place responsibility for violence or wrongdoing on a victim. Responsibility for an alleged crime lies with the person accused of committing it. However, trusted adults, friends, guardians and employers can play an important role by offering support and encouraging young people to seek help when they feel unsafe or pressured.
In Bangladesh, people needing immediate police, ambulance or fire service assistance can call 999. Prompt contact with emergency services can be especially important when someone requires medical care, protection or help returning from an unsafe location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the teenage girl rescued?
Police rescued her from an isolated area southeast of Mainamati Government Primary School in Burichang Upazila, Cumilla.
When did police rescue her?
Officers from Debpur Police Outpost reached the area after 2am on Saturday, 26 September, after local people contacted the 999 emergency helpline.
What should someone do in an emergency in Bangladesh?
For immediate emergency assistance, call 999 to seek help from police, ambulance or fire services.
Had the accused been arrested?
No arrest had been confirmed when police information about the incident was made public. The search for Rajib Ahmed was continuing.