When kidnapped Teknaf farmers return, questions arise: ransom paid or successful rescue?

Nine farmers abducted in Teknaf returned home after two days, but there was confusion over how to rescue them.

Police said the farmers were rescued during a routine trip, but locals say the farmers were released after their families secretly paid a ransom.

The return of the nine farmers was confirmed today (November 4) by Hwai Kyung Union Ward Chairman Noor Mohammad Anwari.

“The farmers were kidnapped around 8:30am on Saturday (November 2). The kidnappers demanded a ransom of Rs 13.5 lakh from the farmers’ families. They even threatened that the farmers would be killed if the families tried to report this, police said. We heard that the farmers were released after paying a ransom,” Anvari said.

Anvari added that the farmers’ families do not want to say how much they paid the ransom and to whom.

Kidnapped: Anwar, son of Nurul Islam; Ghiyas Uddin, son of Bancha Mia; Belal Uddin, son of Jalal Ahmed; Abu Bakar, son of Abul Hossein; Muhammad Alam, son of Nurul Alam; Kafil, son of Azizur Rahman; and Nurul Hossain.

The identities of the two Rohingya could not be immediately established.

Confirming the release of the farmers, Teknaf police station in-charge Model Ghias Uddin said the police launched the action after learning of the kidnapping on Saturday.

“The kidnappers released the farmers due to constant police raids on the hills. We are currently working to nab the kidnappers after getting information from the farmers,” Gias said.

However, the OK denied any information about paying a ransom.

According to victims and Cox’s Bazar district police estimates, at least 145 people (88 locals and 56 Rohingyas) have been kidnapped in various areas of Teknaf this year.

Of all those kidnapped, at least 78 were released after paying ransom, according to police.