Two youths from Maheshkhali return after pledging land for ransom of 10 lakh taka

Five days of captivity deep in the mountains. Blindfolded and taken from one mountain to another, even the slightest mistake is inhuman torture. Meanwhile, the family is desperate to raise the ransom money to bring their children back alive, which includes pledging land, betel leaves and selling cows.
Finally, two youths who were abducted from Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar have returned home after paying a ransom of 10 lakh taka. However, they are still in fear even after returning. The two abducted youths are Rabiul Alam, son of Lal Mia of Kalaliakata area of ​​Hoanak union in Maheshkhali upazila, and Mohammad Ehsan, son of Badshah Mia of the same area.
Local sources and family members said that an organized kidnapping gang took the two youths from Maheshkhali to Cox’s Bazar on May 12. Later, they were detained in a remote hilly area adjacent to Patuartek in Inani and initially a ransom of Tk 2 million was demanded from the family.
The young men who returned said that at least five armed terrorists guarded them day and night. They were shifted from one hill to another every day to keep their location secret. During this time, they were subjected to physical and mental torture and pressured to send money quickly by threatening family members over the phone.
The victims claim that the network of this kidnapping gang is very wide and dangerous. In addition to Rohingya terrorists, some criminals from Teknaf, Ukhia, Maheshkhali and Myanmar may be involved in it. They have even come to know about the involvement of some criminals from India. They have their own vehicles, which are used to target ordinary people and tourists.
Locals said that after long negotiations, a compromise was finally reached for Tk 1 million. While raising this money, the two families became practically destitute. The ransom money was raised by selling cows, mortgaging the accumulated money, and mortgaging paddy fields and land.
The victim’s family alleged that they did not get the desired cooperation even after approaching the administration after the kidnapping. In this regard, Maheshkhali Police Station OC Muhammad Abdus Sultan said that the police knew about the kidnapping of the two youths and the matter was reported to the district police and intelligence agencies. However, he claimed that the police were not aware of their release by paying ransom.