2 abducted Rohingya fish traders rescued in Teknaf, 3 held

Two abducted Rohingya fish traders were rescued on Tuesday morning (26 November) following a joint effort by police and locals in Teknaf Upazila of Cox's Bazar.

Three members of the criminal gang were also arrested during a raid in the hilly area near Lengurbeel Mathpara under Teknaf Sadar union at around 11am, said Teknaf Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Muhammad Gias Uddin.

The rescued individuals are Mohammad Shamsu, from Balukhali refugee camp No 8, and Anisul Alam, from Balukhali Camp No 11. They were abducted from a road in the same area at around 11am on Monday (25 November).

The three arrestees were also identified as Mohammad Saiful of Teknaf municipality's Islamabad area, and Lengurbeel Mathpara area's Marium Begum, 50, wife of Md Kabir, and Nasima Aktar, 30, wife of Md Rabiul, confirmed police.

According to Shamsu and Anisul, they had travelled from Balukhali to Teknaf to buy fish on Monday morning. After failing to find any in the Teknaf Bazaar, they hired an autorickshaw to travel to Baharchara Union's Shamlapur. On their way, they were intercepted by their abductors, who then at gunpoint took them to a hill after robbing them of their money.

Teknaf Sadar Union Chairman Ziaur Rahman said, "A local resident recorded a video of the abduction on their phone, which helped identify some of the suspects including Mojib Ullah and Shawkat Ullah, Md Shahid, Md Hashim, and Md Noyon."

Commending the locals for their help, Teknaf police OC Gias said a case was being filed over the abduction. "Efforts are ongoing to arrest the other suspects."

According to Cox's Bazar district police and locals, at least 140 people were abducted, including Shamsu and Anisul, from different areas of Teknaf in the past year. Among the victims, 83 were local residents and 56 were Rohingya refugees.