NAZIMUDDIN SHYAMOL with Rangamati Correspondent
Rangamati, July 26: A team of the Bangladesh Army, led by Maj. Tajul Islam, on Friday rescued five persons — four officials of B-Technology and a contractor of Teli-talk — who were kidnapped by armed cadres of tribal groups on July 8. The five were identified as Akter Hossain, Hemayet Hossain Himu, Md Imrul, Suja Meah and Mujib. According to sources, the Army team, acting on a tip off, conducted a raid in the deep forests of Merung union of Dighinala upazila in Khagrachari at around 3 am. Sensing their approach, the abductors fled the spot, leaving the five persons behind. The Army team did not even have to open fire.
The rescued persons reached the DGFI headquarters in Rangamati at 7 am. The rescue team reached the office of Amena Begam, superintendent of police (SP) of Rangamati, at around 10.30 am.
“As per the statement of two arrested persons, the team conducted a raid in the hilly areas of Merung union at around 3 am last night. The abductors fled the spot leaving behind the five. We took care to rescue the victims alive. We also coordinated with the police of Baghaihat and Marishya zones, as well as with the DGFI,”said Amena Begum.
When asked, the rescued persons said they were abducted at gunpoint on their return from work on July 8. “The abductors took us into the deep forest. They kept changing their location every day. They forced us to walk mile after mile. They, however, didn’t misbehave with us. They gave us food every day. Last night, they were surrounded by the Army team. They immediately fled the spot, leaving us behind,” said Akter Hossain.
The five rescued persons will return home on Saturday.
Sources said several tribal kidnapping groups have become active in three hill districts. They abduct both tribal and Bengalee people for ransom. They usually take their victims to remote hilly areas, inaccessible to common people.
On February 16, 62 Jana Sanghati Samiti (JSS) supporters were abducted from the Loungdu area of Rangamati. Later, the abductors released 10 of them. The rest are yet to be released or rescued.
JSS leaders alleged that the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) had carried out the abduction. The party informed the matter to the district administration and the police administration of Rangamati. Although the UPDF has denied the allegation, law enforcement agencies have confirmed their involvement in the abduction.
Sources said the JSS was paying money to the abductors to provide food for the victims.
Bina Chakma, wife of abducted Moni Shankar Chakma, said: “My husband was the lone earning member of our family. We can’t survive without him.”
-With The Independent input
