Tahjibul Anam
COX'S BAZAR, Nov 10: Incidents of kidnap are increasing day by day in the hilly areas of Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar district.
After kidnap, perpetrators hold the victims to ransom at gunpoint and set them free after realising a handsome amount of money from their families.
According to Cox's Bazar district police, 145 people have been kidnapped from different areas of Teknaf in the last one year. Among them, 88 are local residents and 56 are Rohingya refugees.
Recently one kidnapped Rohingya refugee and nine Bangladeshi farmers have been released on ransom. They returned home in the morning on Monday last (November 4) after their release from the kidnappers' den.
Several people who were earlier kidnapped said that kidnap incidents have recently increased in Teknaf.
Due to the recent surge in kidnap incidents, people are now afraid to leave their homes even in broad daylight.
After kidnap, victims are taken inside the dense hill forests and kept in confinement there. Later their families are terrorised into a giving handsome amount of money and when the ransom is paid they are set free. And in case of non-compliance, the victims are subjected to inhuman torture.
Sources said a syndicate of kidnappers has been formed comprising locals and Rohingyas in the hills.
Farooq Ahmed, a local resident, said incidents of kidnap are increasing day by day in the hills of Teknaf. At present, locals are passing days amid constant fear of kidnap.
They are afraid to leave homes even during daytime. A firm stand of the administration and regular raids in the hills can effectively curb the trend of kidnap incidents.
Local UP Chairman Noor Ahmed Anwari said there prevails a tense situation in Teknaf due to multiple incidents of kidnap that took place recently.
If the culprits are not identified and brought to justice, kidnap incidents will continue to increase.
Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Giyas Uddin said operations are being conducted regularly to prevent kidnap.
"We have already been able to arrest many members of the kidnap ring. Most of the kidnap gangs include Rohingyas. Kidnap incidents are happening in the mountains under their leadership," he added.
Victims' families and public representatives claim that at least 78 of the kidnap victims have been released on ransom.
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