Public outrage erupted across Manikganj today as residents, students, and grieving family members staged a massive demonstration along the Dhaka-Aricha highway, demanding the urgent rescue of Redwan Ansari. The 25-year-old business administration student and private sector employee has been missing for nine days following a suspected abduction. Grief and desperation hung heavy over the Baniyajuri bus stand in Ghior Upazila as Redwan’s mother wept openly on the tarmac, pleading with law enforcement agencies to return her youngest son alive.
The human chain demonstration, held on Monday afternoon, drew hundreds of local residents, educators, and classmates. Speaking on behalf of the infuriated community, local leaders issued a stern warning to the administration, threatening a complete blockade of the strategic highway if law enforcement fails to trace Redwan swiftly and ensure his safe return. Protesters expressed deep dissatisfaction with the lack of progress, calling on high-ranking government officials and security units to deploy advanced digital tracking and modern investigative tech to locate the victim.
Prominent figures attending the demonstration in solidarity included Baniyajuri Union Parishad Chairman S.R. Ansari Biltu, President of Buro of Social Waze Nur Islam Sattar, NPI University Trustee Board Member Dr Eng. Md Faruk Hossain, and the missing student’s uncle, Abdul Hannan Ansari.
Redwan, the youngest son of the late Abdul Mannan Ansari from Tarail village, lived with his family in New Eskaton, Dhaka, while balancing his undergraduate business studies with a job at a private firm. According to family accounts, he was last seen leaving his elder sister’s residence in Sofipur, Kaliakair, Gazipur, at around 6:30 PM on Saturday, 24 October, bound for Moghbazar in the capital. His brother, Shahriar Ansari, made final phone contact with him at 9:30 PM that evening before Redwan’s mobile phone was abruptly switched off. Overnight searches at local hospitals and potential destinations yielded no trace.
The situation escalated sharply early the following morning, 25 October, when an unknown caller contacted Shahriar at 5:39 AM. The abductors permitted Redwan to speak briefly to prove he was alive before demanding a ransom of 50,000 taka. Desperate to ensure his safety, the family transferred 40,000 taka in instalments through mobile financial accounts, including bKash and Nagad. However, despite receiving the funds, the perpetrators refused to release the victim and severed all communications.
A general diary (GD) was formally lodged by Redwan’s cousin, Faysal Mahmud, at Kaliakair Police Station on 25 October. A written complaint was also submitted directly to the Company Commander of RAB-3 (Khilgaon Camp) requesting immediate intervention. Nine days after the kidnapping, law enforcement agencies have yet to achieve a breakthrough, leaving the victim’s family and community in profound distress.
