Silchar: An alleged case of infant abandonment at Silchar Civil Hospital triggered concern on Sunday after a woman reportedly left her approximately 11-month-old baby with another visitor and failed to return, prompting police to launch an investigation.

According to reports, the woman approached another woman who had come to the hospital to visit a patient and requested her to look after the infant for a short while, saying she was going to the washroom. The visitor agreed on humanitarian grounds.

However, when the woman did not return even after a considerable period, the caretaker became worried and informed the hospital authorities.

On receiving the information, police personnel reached the hospital, took custody of the infant and initiated an investigation into the incident.

Police said that despite nearly two hours having elapsed since the child was left behind, the identity of the infant and the whereabouts of the mother or any other family members remained unknown.

The child is currently under police care, and efforts are underway to trace the mother and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have appealed to anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in the investigation.