Six farmers from Teknaf Upazila in Cox’s Bazar, who were abducted three days ago, have returned home after a ransom was paid for their release.
Khokon Chandra Rudra, Inspector of the Whykong police outpost, confirmed the development on Friday afternoon, stating that the victims were released at approximately 8:30pm on Thursday.
It has been reported that a ransom of nearly Tk6 lakh was paid to the kidnappers to secure their freedom.
The released individuals have been identified as Md Jamir, 62, son of Soltan Fakir; Md Alam, 18, son of Ejahar Hoson; Jahed Hoson alias Munna, 30, son of Shamshul Alam; and Md Shafiul Alam, 13, son of Rabiul Alam.
All of them are residents of the Mina Bazar area of Whykong Union.
Also released were Mojahar Mia, 50, and his son Mostak, 12, from the shelter area of Kumbonia Para in the same union.
Shah Jalal, the acting chairman of Whykong Union, stated that the ransom was collected in a remote hilly area of Kachhapia within Baharchhara Union.
The victims were subsequently released near Talajuri Panir Chhara and, being familiar with the hilly terrain, managed to walk back to their homes. Akhtar, a chowkidar of Ward 6 of Whykong Union, confirmed that the farmers are currently staying at their respective residences.
The six farmers were abducted at gunpoint on Tuesday morning while they were engaged in agricultural work and collecting firewood near the Mina Bazar hilly area. Following the incident, law enforcement agencies launched a joint operation in the hills to rescue them.
Inspector Khokon Chandra Rudra mentioned that while specific details cannot be disclosed for the sake of the investigation, the police are working to arrest those involved in the crime. The recent surge in abductions and ransom demands in the Teknaf hilly areas has created a state of extreme panic among the local population.
