Two Teknaf fishermen return home after ransom payment

Two Bangladeshi fishermen, who were abducted from the Naf River in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, while returning from fishing, have returned home after 14 days in captivity following the payment of a ransom. The victims alleged that armed men took them across the border into Myanmar, held them in captivity and tortured them. While the kidnappers initially demanded Tk 20 lakh, they eventually released them after receiving Tk 5 lakh.

The two were handed over to Teknaf Police Station on Monday (July 27) evening after being rescued by a patrol team from Ukhia Battalion (64 BGB) from the zero line of the Naf River. Following legal procedures, they were released to their families.

The rescued individuals are Abdur Rahman (42) and Faridul Alam (54) of Hoaikyang Union in Teknaf. On July 13, while fishing in the Naf River, armed men intercepted their boat, tied their hands and mouths, took them across the border, and seized their fish, boat and nets.

Abdur Rahman said they were kept in a secluded house and beaten almost daily. Faridul Alam said they were not given adequate food, and the kidnappers left them at the zero line on the Bangladesh side of the Naf River on the evening of July 27.

Abdur Rahman's brother, Abdur Rashid, claimed they paid Tk 5 lakh in cash through an intermediary in the Kutupalong Rohingya camp area to secure their release.

BGB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Md Zahirul Islam said patrolling has been intensified to prevent abductions and smuggling along the border.

Teknaf Police Station OC Mohammad Saiful Islam said legal action will be taken against those involved upon receiving a written complaint.

Locals said the abduction of fishermen for ransom in the Naf River and border areas is not a new phenomenon. They have demanded increased security and BGB patrolling along the border to prevent such incidents.