Telecom Union demands swift rescue of 4 abducted workers in Hill Tracts

The Bangladesh Private Telecommunication Employees Union has demanded the urgent rescue of four telecom workers abducted while maintaining mobile towers for Robi Axiata Ltd. The workers, employed by EDOTCO Bangladesh Ltd. and SARBS Communications Ltd., have been missing for weeks.

At a press conference on Monday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, union president Md. Maksudur Rahman Rakib outlined five key demands, including immediate rescue of the workers, punishment of kidnappers, and enhanced security for telecom staff in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Rakib detailed two abduction incidents: on April 19, Md. Ismail Mia and Abro Marma were kidnapped in Mayubkhali, Manikchhari, Khagrachhari; and on June 5, Mohammad Sumon Islam and Abdur Rahim were taken from Karnaphuli Bazar, Fatikchhari, Chattogram. Despite repeated requests, neither police nor the mobile operators have provided information on their whereabouts.

“The companies responsible have failed to take effective action,” Rakib said, urging the government, law enforcement, and local authorities to intervene swiftly.

The union warned that these kidnappings have created widespread fear among hundreds of telecom technicians working in remote areas. The abductors are reportedly demanding ransom, posing a serious threat to both individual safety and national telecom infrastructure.

Rakib also suggested that tensions with a local hill group may be behind the abductions. “Previous kidnappings were resolved, but so far the current cases remain unresolved due to lack of cooperation from the companies,” he added.

The union’s vice president Aliuzzaman, general secretary Manik, and relatives of the abducted workers also attended the press conference, calling for immediate and decisive action.