Mohammad Khorshed Helali Cox’s Bazar:
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has rescued 14 abductees from the ‘detention center’ of human traffickers in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
They were rescued from Saiful Islam’s house in Uttar Lambari area of Teknaf Sadar Union around 11:30 pm on Saturday (May 10). However, the BGB said that no broker could be arrested at that time.
Confirming this information, Teknaf 2 BGB Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Ashikur Rahman said that several people were detained in a house in Teknaf, which was raided and found to be a hideout of human traffickers. Based on that information, a BGB team raided the house. During the raid, 14 abductees were found detained in the house. Later, they were rescued by breaking the door of the house. However, it was not possible to arrest anyone involved in the kidnapping as the kidnappers fled after realizing the purpose of the operation.
This top BGB official said, ‘We have spoken to the victims to find out who is involved in this kidnapping, for what purpose they were kidnapped. The matter will be investigated and legal action will be taken against the culprits.’
The rescued victims, Md. Rahim and Mohin Uddin, residents of Cox’s Bazar, said, ‘We went for a walk in Inani. From there, when we went to Teknaf under the lure of a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw driver, the kidnappers kidnapped us and forcibly took us to a house. Several others were held hostage there. They beat us up and sent videos to our families to extort Tk 1 lakh and Tk 2 lakh. Even then, we were held hostage for 18 days. Their aim was to smuggle us by sea and sell us to brokers. Finally, the BGB came and rescued us, we are grateful to them.’
Locals said, ‘Saiful Islam has been involved in kidnapping and human trafficking for a long time. The law enforcement agencies should bring him and his gang under the law quickly, otherwise such incidents will continue to happen again and again.
