4 students ‘abducted by Rohingyas’

Our Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar

Two Rohingya men have abducted four schoolboys in Cox's Bazar after promising to take them to St Martin's Island, said the families of the victims. 

The four -- Mohammad Kayser, Mizanur Rahman, Jahedul Islam and Mijanul Islam -- are students of Sonarpara High School in Ukhia upazila. Jahedul is a student of class 10 while the three others are students of class 8.

According to their families, Jahangir and Ibrahim along with other criminals abducted the four on Tuesday telling them they would be taken to the island. 

Later, the two called the families and demanded a ransom of Tk 5 lakh for the release of each of the students.

The two Rohingyas are residents of Teknaf's Nayapara Rohingya camp number 26. They work at "Batighar cottage" on Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive in Himchhari Panchardwip area, the families said.

Sonarpara High School Head Teacher Milon Barua said, "I've heard about the incident. We want our sons back."

Kaysar's father Abdur Rahim said the four students knew Jahangir and Ibrahim. After abducting them, the two beat them and threatened to kill them. "We have informed Ramu police about the incident," Rahim said.

Ramu Police Station OC Anwarul Hossain said, "We received a complaint from the students' families on Wednesday. Ramu police along with Teknaf police have been conducting drives to rescue the abducted students."

Teknaf Police Station Inspector (investigation) Abdul Halim said they were raiding different places to arrest the kidnappers and rescue the students. Other law enforcement agencies are working as well, he added.