Kidnapping continues unabated in Teknaf

The people of the hilly areas under Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar have got into a panic in fear of abduction as kidnappers have been desperate to realise ransom.

Locals said over 50 people, including Rohingyas, have been abducted from three places in Teknaf in the last six months. At least 35 of the victims got release after their families paid the ransom.

Police said seven cases were filed for the abduction of 14 people during the period. Most of the abduction incidents remain unreported in Teknaf.

On April 30, armed terrorists abducted Rahim Uddin, 32, and Riduan, 19, while they were working at a betel leaf farm on Jahazpura Hills at Baharchhara Union in Teknaf.

The miscreants also injured two brothers, Abdul Amin, 25, and Abdullah, 16, by hacking as they tried to intercept them.

Later, police rescued them from Jahazpura hill of Baharchhara union in Teknaf, 35 hours after they were abducted.

Md Abdul Halim, officer-in-charge of Teknaf police station, said, “Abductors demanded a ransom of Tk 5 lakh by contacting the victim’s family on the morning of May 1. Police were able to track the kidnappers' location using technology and subsequently, along with the assistance of the villagers, surrounded the barren hills.”

“The members of the kidnapping gang escaped, but it was possible to rescue the kidnapped people. They were severely tortured and have been sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment.”

The OC also said an operation is still ongoing to arrest the miscreants.

On April 24, five Rohingya teenagers were allegedly abducted by miscreants from a park in Teknaf. The families of the victims claimed that they were released on April 29 after the payment of a ransom of Tk 5 lakh.

Md Jamal Pasha, superintendent of police (SP) at the 16-Armed Police Battalion (APBN), said they (abducted people) returned after terrorists released them. However, he said he did not know about the payment of ransom.

Md Ekram, chairman of the management committee of the Nayapara registered camp, said 7/8 miscreants wearing masks abducted the children from the park and took them to a hill on April 24. Then they demanded Tk 20 lakh as ransom through mobile phone. After negotiating with them for the last four days, the abductees were released after payment of Tk 1 lakh from per person, he added.

Md Abdul Halim, officer-in-charge of Teknaf police station, said, “No complaint has been filed by the victim’s family since the abduction incident. However, police were conducting operations to rescue them.”

On March 16, criminals abducted seven people when they went to collect firewood in Teknaf hills and demanded ransom for their release.

The abductees are Gias Uddin, 17, Fazal Karim, 30, Zafrul Islam, 35, Arif Ullah, 22, Rashid Alam, 26, Zafar Alam, 40, Jane Alam, 45, of Jahazpura village.

On March 19, Mohammad Sayed was abducted from Jumma Pahari area of Jadimura. Another person named Rahmat Ullah was abducted on March 24.

Hosen Ali’s son Md Salman, 5, and Md Ali’s son Obaidullah, 13, were abducted on March 2 and released after the payment of Tk 70,000.

Nurul Amin’s son Rahmat Ullah and Ali Akbar’s son Abdul Hafiz were abducted from Chowkidar Para area of Baharchhara Union on January 28.

On January 9, Abdus Salam, Abdur Rahman, Muhib Ullah, and his sibling Abdul Hakim, of Hnila union's Lechuaprang area were abducted at gunpoint allegedly by Rohingya criminals in Teknaf.

On December 18, eight persons, including a college student, were abducted while fishing in a canal inside a mountain in Jahazpura area of Baharchhara Union of Teknaf. Later they were also released after their families paid a ransom of Tk 6.40 lakh.

According to sources, incidents of abduction occurred repeatedly in Jahazpura of Teknaf Baharchhara, Rangikhali of Nhila Union and Hoaikang union. Sometimes locals and Rohingyas are being kidnapped.

Inspector Moshiur Rahman of Baharchhara Police Investigation Center said there are some settlements in Jahazpura hilly area. They grow betel leaf, betel nut and vegetables. They were abducted when they went to take care of their gardens.

The police officer said, “We also heard that some local gangs are involved. The allegations are being investigated along with identifying them. But the problem is that no victim wants to give information to the police easily.”

Md Abdul Halim, officer-in-charge of Teknaf police station, told the Daily Sun, “Since the areas are inaccessible, we told farmers to work in a collective manner in the hilly areas. But, they don’t take it into account and go to work as usual. And taking the opportunity the criminals kidnap them. We are also embarrassed by this.”

He said, “To stop this kind of criminal activity we have to stop the movement of Rohingya outside their camp. Otherwise, it is impossible to prevent crime in the area.”

“As most of the area is inaccessible, I think a joint operation is needed to nab criminals from deep hills and forests of Teknaf area,” he added.

“Still we are working on how to eliminate the crime by identifying the kidnappers within our limitations,” he added.

Nahila Chairman Union Parishad Rashed Mahmud Ali told the Daily Sun, “At least 10-15 people have been abducted from my area in the last 6 months. They were released after their families paid ransom. Without ransom, no one was released.”

“There are some criminals in Rangikhali area. Rohingyas are also involved with them. If these criminals are brought under the law, all kinds of crimes including kidnapping will be reduced.”