Locals staged a protest on Wednesday, blocking the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf Marine Drive at Shamlapur in Teknaf, demanding an end to the recent surge in kidnappings and calling for tougher action against armed hill-based groups.
The demonstration began in the afternoon when people blocked the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf Marine Drive at Shamlapur, holding placards and banners.
They later held a rally around 3:30pm at Major Sinha Square in Baharchhara union, which was attended by students, teachers, traders, and workers. Protesters urged the authorities to rescue several people recently abducted in the area.
The protests were sparked by the abduction of six children and teenagers on Sunday evening from Dakshin Shilkhali Purba Para in Baharchhara union while they were playing. Two managed to escape, but four others remain in captivity.
Locals claimed that 264 people were abducted in Teknaf over the past year, most of whom were released after paying ransom.
District police report 272 abductions in the last 21 months, though current figures on captives remain unclear.
Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abu Zayed Md Nazmun Nur visited the site and said, “The demand to stop kidnappings is legitimate, and we support it. Operations against armed hill groups are ongoing, but we urge residents not to create inconvenience to the public by blocking roads.”
Zainal Uddin, president of the Dhaka University Students’ Association of Ukhiya-Teknaf, demanded immediate release of abducted individuals and called for special operations, including army checkpoints, to combat hill-based armed groups.
MA Manjur, headteacher of Shamlapur High School and president of the Teknaf Upazila Teachers’ Association, said the recent wave of kidnappings has severely impacted tourism in Baharchhara, making the local economy suffer.
People, especially women and children no longer feel safe, he added.
Baharchhara Union Parishad Chairman Amzad Hossain Khokon said, “There are 50,000 residents here, while armed groups number around 100. If the community unites and supports law enforcers, the criminals cannot succeed.”
The protests highlight growing local frustration over rising insecurity and the urgent need for effective law enforcement measures in Teknaf.
