Desperate to get his son back, Ali, a pseudonym, sought help from multiple police stations but received no response.

He eventually turned to the Rapid Action Battalion, or RAB, only to be told they were not authorised to enter the Rohingya camps.

Ali, a resident of Bara Deil in Baharchhara, said: “I’m a poor man. They kidnapped my son, took him to the hills, and tortured him. I mortgaged my home and collected donations from my neighbours to gather Tk 200,000. Then I went to Muchhni Rohingya Camp market and handed over the money in person to get my son back.”

His 15-year-old son, who returned from captivity, said he realised from their conversations that the kidnappers were all Rohingya.

Cooked meals were brought to them from the Rohingya camp, he said.

Teknaf, once notorious for so-called “crossfire” incidents and extrajudicial killings, is now gripped by a new fear: abductions.

While some hostages return after paying ransom, others do not.

Locals say abduction and ransom demands occur almost daily.

What was once a “crossfire zone” has now become a “kidnapping haven”.

Initially, local criminals collaborated with the kidnappers, but now multiple Rohingya groups have formed, targeting both local residents and Rohingya refugees.

Few abduction cases are reported to police, but local journalists keep track of the incidents.

According to their records, at least 193 people were kidnapped in Teknaf in a year.

Most victims eventually returned.

While law enforcers claim to have “rescued” the abductees, families say at least 150 people came back after paying ransom.

The victims include local farmers, labourers, woodcutters, forest workers, auto-rickshaw and tomtom drivers, students, businessmen, and tourists, as well as Rohingya children and men.

The ransom amount depends on the victim’s financial status.

If the victim is from the Rohingya camp, informants within the camp provide details to the kidnappers.

If the victim is an outsider, local collaborators share the information.

Ransom demands range from Tk 15,000 to as high as Tk 1.5 million.

Teknaf Model Police Station chief Muhammad Gias Uddin said police use technology to track the location of abductees.

In the past year, 19 cases have been filed, leading to the arrest of 29 kidnappers and the rescue of 60 victims.

“We have identified key abduction hotspots and increased surveillance and patrols in those areas,” he added.

WHY ARE ABDUCTIONS MORE FREQUENT IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY?

Residents, law-enforcing agencies, and public representatives say most abductions in Teknaf occur in Hnila, Whykong, and Baharchhara unions.

Among them, Noakhali Para, Bara Deil, Mathabhanga, Jahajpura, Bhagguna, and Marishbunia in Baharchhara, as well as Dhala, Chowkidar Para, and South Shilkhali in Whykong, remain in constant fear of abductions.

Nur Ahmad Anwari, chairman of Whykong Union Parishad, said at least 700 families in several villages of his union are living in fear of abductions.

“A few days ago, three people from these villages were abducted and later killed,” he said.

“Some local criminals are involved in this abduction trade. Several kidnapping rings operate in the remote hilly areas. A section of local criminals and Rohingya are involved in crimes,” he added.

The UP chairman believes law-enforcing agencies alone cannot tackle this situation.

“A military operation is crucial to curb abductions in the hills,” he said.

Faridul Alam, member of Ward No. 7 of Baharchhara Union Parishad, echoed the sentiment.

“My area has become an abduction hotspot. More than a hundred people have been kidnapped from here,” he said.

Although he refrained from commenting on law enforcers’ claims of “rescued” victims, he said: “No one was freed through police operations; everyone returned after paying ransom.”

Discussions with local residents and law-enforcing agencies have revealed several reasons why Teknaf’s coastal areas at the foothills of remote mountains have turned into an abduction hotspot.

Cox’s Bazar police spokesman Additional Superintendent of Police Jasim Uddin pointed to human trafficking, drug and arms trade, Rohingya involvement in crime, the rugged terrain, and the shortage of law enforcers across the vast Rohingya camps as major contributing factors.

He said abductions peak in December and January as the dry season makes it easier for criminals to move and operate in the difficult hill tracts.

FOREST WORKERS FEARFUL OF ENTERING HILLS

On the morning of Jan 1, 18 forest department workers and labourers went to plant trees in the hills of Teknaf’s Jadimura.

As they rested near a stream, 10-12 armed men surrounded them.

The attackers, masked and carrying bags on their shoulders, were armed with firearms and large machetes.

At gunpoint, they tied up the workers and took them deep into the hills west of the Rohingya camp.

Among the abductees was Saiful Islam who worked as a labourer for the forest department.

Recalling his ordeal, Saiful said: “They took us into a cave deep in the hills and forced us to lie on the ground. They seized our mobile phones and demanded ransom from our families. They beat us more severely to pressure our families into paying. They also took our food and ate it, leaving us without anything but water for the night.

“The next morning, one of the abductors received a phone call warning that RAB and law enforcers had launched an operation,” he said.

“They became furious and threatened to kill some of us. They threw us to the ground and started beating us, pressing pistols to our heads to hasten the ransom payments,” he added.

Saiful said his family paid Tk 30,000 for his release.

“They collected ransom from everyone and then released us near the locality. From their behaviour, speech, and methods of torture, it seemed they were Rohingya criminals,” he added.

Shakil Ahmed, another resident of the area, was also abducted that day and freed after paying ransom.

His father, Ledu Mia, said: “They released my son after taking Tk 20,000 in ransom.

As a daily wage labourer, arranging that money was extremely difficult.

“Our house is at the foot of the hills, and we survive by working in agriculture. We didn’t file a case out of fear of another abduction. We are living under constant threat. Everyone who was abducted that day had to pay ransom to return.”

Abdur Rashid, range officer of the Teknaf Forest Department, said: “Labourers are now afraid to go into the forest due to the risk of abduction. Work in the area has been temporarily suspended because of the threat.”

A case has been filed at Teknaf Police Station against 25-30 unidentified individuals, Rashid said, adding: “The abductees could not recognise anyone but said they would be able to identify them if seen again.”

The forest department is now preparing to resume work in high-risk areas with armed security personnel, he added.

SHOPKEEPER JASHIM FREED AFTER PAYING TK 1.5 MILLION RANSOM

Two days before the abduction of 18 forest workers and labourers, grocery store owner Jashim Uddin from South Bara Deil in Baharchhara Union was kidnapped on Dec 30.

That night, as he was closing his shop, 17-18 armed men surrounded him.

Without saying a word, they took him deep into the hills.

The kidnappers tortured him, filmed the ordeal, and sent the video to his family, demanding Tk 5 million in ransom.

“They allowed me to speak to my family but kept beating me even as I talked,” Jashim recalled.

His cousin, Baharchhara Union’s Ward No. 7 UP member Faridur Alam, said: “The family was terrified when they saw the video. They had no way to pay such a huge sum. Eventually, they sold their home and land to collect Tk 1.5 million, which was paid to the kidnappers. After nine days, my cousin was freed.”

Jashim said: “For eight days, they tortured me severely for the ransom. My body bore marks of injuries. After my release, I sought treatment at a clinic in Chattogram.”

Both Jashim and Faridur believe the abductions are carried out by a well-organised gang.

“Unless local residents, law-enforcing agencies, and public representatives work together, stopping these kidnappings will be impossible,” they said.

Teknaf BNP President Hasan Siddiqui called for a tough crackdown.

“Farmers and residents near the hills live in constant fear. To stop this ransom business, joint forces must conduct a sweeping operation in the hills and Rohingya camps. The kidnappers must be arrested, and those aiding them must also face justice.”

THREE FRIENDS ABDUCTED, KILLED IN TEKNAF HILLS

Three friends set out for Teknaf on the afternoon of Apr 28 to see a bride.

But their journey ended in tragedy when armed men stopped their auto-rickshaw, abducted them, and later demanded ransom from their families.

Their decomposed bodies were eventually found in a remote hilly area.

The victims were identified as Mohammad Yusuf, 35, Zomir Hossain Rubel, 35, and Mohammad Imran, 27.

Kabir Ahmed, Yusuf’s father, said: “Around six hours after the abduction, the kidnappers sent a video of their torture and demanded Tk 3 million for their release. We started collecting money while also informing multiple law-enforcing agencies.”

The families managed to raise some money, but when they tried to contact the kidnappers, the phone number was no longer reachable.

The next day, law enforcers launched a rescue operation in the Teknaf hills, but the kidnappers frequently changed locations, making it difficult to track them down.

Three days later, RAB arrested a suspect using technology-based tracking.

His confession led them to the crime scene in a remote jungle, where they found the decomposed bodies of the three men.

Grieving for his son, Kabir urged: “No other mother should have to suffer like this. We must stand against kidnappings and demand justice.”

‘FEAR KEEPS PEOPLE AWAY FROM THE PARK’

More than two million Rohingya refugees have taken shelter in camps along the Cox’s Bazar coast after being forcibly displaced from Myanmar’s Rakhine State due to military persecution.

The influx continues, with government estimates indicating that another 50,000 to 60,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh over the past three to four months due to ongoing conflict.

Residents initially welcomed the Rohingya, offering whatever assistance they could.

However, with the growing Rohingya population, the locals have effectively become a minority in their own region.

Despite restrictions on Rohingya movement outside the camps, law-enforcing agencies have struggled to enforce these measures.

Unrestricted movement, employment, and rising involvement in criminal activities have fuelled local resentment.

In response, community-led groups have emerged to counter the perceived threats.

One such group is the Cox’s Bazar Rohingya Resistance Committee.

Its president, Mahbubur Rahman, said: “The Rohingya are now involved in crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, and arms dealing, including murder and disappearances. Kidnapping, in particular, is being carried out directly by the Rohingya. Before their arrival, Teknaf had no history of abductions.

“While these incidents were initially centred around the refugee camps, they have now spread across the district. Even when kidnappers are arrested, they manage to secure release and resume their crimes.”

He believes repatriation is the only solution.

“Without sending them back to their own country, I don’t see any way out of this.”

ABM Abul Hossain Raju, general secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, or SUJAN, in Teknaf, said, “Three years ago, tourists from across the country would visit Teknaf Nature Park. It was home to monkeys, deer, and other wildlife. Locals would also go there with their families for fresh air and relaxation. But now, people are too afraid of abductions to visit.”

He added that the kidnapping and ransom trade has reached an alarming level in Teknaf, with locals bearing the brunt. Several kidnapping rings have emerged from within the Rohingya camps.

“If this situation is not brought under control soon, the local community will suffer even more. That is why we strongly demand a coordinated crackdown in the hills involving the army and all relevant authorities,” he said.

ROHINGYA KIDNAPPER IDENTIFIED IN VIDEO

A recent photo of an armed Rohingya youth involved in a kidnapping incident has come into the possession of bdnews24.com.

Our journalists have spoken to several camp leaders, known as “Majhis”, about the photo.

The Majhis have identified the armed individual as Mohammad Shafi, a resident of Block C in the Nayapara Rohingya camp.

According to police, Shafi has multiple cases registered against him.

The Rohingya Majhis claim that Shafi was the second-in-command of the “Salman Shah Group” but later separated to form his own gang.

On May 5, 2022, Shafi was arrested by the Armed Police Battalion, or APBn, for his involvement in camp security issues and served time in prison.

After being released on bail, he returned to his kidnapping activities and is now said to be causing terror in the hills under his leadership.

Lt Col HM Sazzad Hossain, commanding officer of the Cox’s Bazar Rab-15, said: “We have increased intelligence monitoring in the remote hills. Several operations have led to the arrest of many suspects. Most recently, on Dec 31, we successfully rescued 18 individuals who had been kidnapped and taken into the forest.”

Teknaf Model Police Station chief Mohammad Giyas Uddin, said: “We are progressing with all available information. Our main goal is to dismantle the criminal syndicate. However, if locals and representatives work together, it will be easier to bring the situation under control.”

AUTHORITIES ADDRESS RISING KIDNAPPING ISSUES

Local authorities continue to grapple with the growing problem of kidnappings and criminal activities linked to Rohingya camps.

The Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner’s office has been directing law-enforcing agencies to increase intelligence efforts.

According to Commissioner Mizanur, “We’ve asked our agencies to boost surveillance. The APBn is also involved. However, identifying criminals is difficult without registered mobile numbers.”

He emphasised that kidnapping incidents are not isolated, with many tied to drug and human trafficking networks. “Financial motives drive many of these groups towards kidnapping.”

Mohammad Siraj Amin, additional DIG of the APBn, said that while they don’t have a specific list of groups involved in these crimes, they act swiftly once incidents occur.

Regarding the camps, additional DIG of 16 APBn, Mohammad Kaiser Shikder, highlighted that their role is limited to maintaining security within the camps, while criminal groups operate outside in the hills.

Rab-15 Squadron Leader Touhidul Mobin Khan confirmed the presence of armed groups in the hills and ongoing efforts to identify their hideouts.

Jasim Uddin, Cox’s Bazar police spokesperson, said higher authorities had instructed a special force to launch a major operation in the hills soon.

However, he confirmed that no list of terrorists had been provided, nor has any direct link to armed groups such as ARSA or RSPO been established.