5 CU students freed seven days after abduction

Five indigenous students from the University of Chittagong (CU) were released seven days after being abducted. Although they were freed on Wednesday (April 23), the news became public a day later on Thursday (April 24).

The Pahari Chhatra Parishad’s (PCP) confirmed their release in a statement. The five students are now staying at their family homes.

When asked about the matter, Khagrachhari Superintendent of Police Arefin Jewel said, Pahari Chhatra Parishad’s (PCP) has issued a statement saying they have recovered their members. We have contacted the families of the students, and they also confirmed that their family members have returned. So, it can be assumed that the students are now in the custody of their families.”

The students were abducted on the morning of April 16 while returning from the Biju Festival. They were taken from the Giriful area in Khagrachhari along with their auto-rickshaw driver, who was later released.

The abducted students were: Rishon Chakma, a student from the Department of International Relations and member of the CU branch of the Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP); Maitrimoy Chakma and Aldrin Tripura from the Institute of Fine Arts; Dibby Chakma from the Department of Drama; and Longngi Mro from the Department of Zoology. They are all students of the 2023–24 academic session.

From the beginning, Nipon Tripura, President of the Pahari Chhatra Parishad (aligned with Santu Larma-led JSS faction), blamed the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) for the abduction. However, Angya Marma, a district-level organizer of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), has denied any involvement in the incident.