Jumbangla Desk: RAB has rescued 31 people including children and arrested two brokers while smuggling to Malaysia from a secret hideout in the hilly area by raiding the information of a youth who was 'kidnapped while traveling' in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar .

Senior Assistant Director (Law and Media) and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Debjit Pal of RAB-15 Cox's Bazar Battalion gave this information at 10 pm on Monday (November 19).

The arrested are Mohammad Anwar (44) son of deceased Aschiur Rahman of Pankhali area of ​​Palongkhali union of Ukhia upazila and Mohammad Ayub (36) son of deceased Mohammad Rafiq of North Lambari area of ​​Sadar union of Teknaf upazila.

Among those rescued, 26 Rohingyas and 5 Bangladeshis. Among them 5 men, 3 women and 23 children.

The rescued Bangladeshis are Mohammad Rafiqul Islam (27) son of Abdul Quader of Kaykobad area of ​​Shaplapur Union of Maheshkhali Upazila and Mohammad Shahid (17) son of Nazir Ahmad, Md of Sadekerkata area of ​​the same union. Farid's son. Ghiyas Uddin (22), Atiqur Rahman (22) son of Abul Kalam of Mokshet Azam area of ​​Dulahazara union of Chakaria upazila and Md. Shamlapur area of ​​Baharchhara union of Teknaf. Sabbir's son Hasna Begum (18).

Regarding the victim, ASP Debjit Pal said that on November 12, Ekhlach Mia and one of her cousins ​​from Mosakhola area of ​​Ukhia upazila went to Teknaf together with 2 to 3 friends. At one point they went for a walk on Marine Drive in Kachpia area of ​​Baharchhara Union. At around 5:30 pm, 6 to 7 unidentified men held them at gunpoint and blindfolded them while taking pictures on Marine Drive. At this time they were taken to the top of a local hill. The young hostages found 40 to 45 women, men and children already in a small hut.

About the victim Ekhlach Mia, this RAB official said that the traffickers beat and tortured Ekhlach and demanded a ransom of Tk 2 lakh. At one point, the traffickers became angry after contacting the family but not getting the ransom money. Later, 15 to 20 people including him were taken from the hilltop hut to the sea trawler for smuggling to Malaysia. At that time he managed to escape and informed RAB about the matter.

On the basis of this information, a team of RAB conducted a raid in the hills of Kachpia area of ​​Baharchhara Union of Teknaf on Sunday midnight. RAB was able to arrest two of the 5 to 6 suspects while running away. Later, 31 people who were gathered for smuggling to Malaysia were rescued from the scene.

Regarding the rescuers, ASP Debjit Pal said that the traffickers kept them hostage on the top of the hill in Kachpiya area, saying that they would take Malaysia by sea. Later, they collected a ransom of 1 lakh taka per person from the relatives. Those who failed to pay the ransom were being trawled to Malaysia to be held hostage elsewhere in the name of smuggling.

Debjeet said that a case has been filed against the detained brokers at Teknaf police station.