58 rescued from trafficking in Teknaf; 4 arrested
TEKNAF CORRESPONDENT
In a significant operation across various areas of Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf upazila, police have arrested four members of a human trafficking ring, including its leader, known as Yasin.
This operation led to the rescue of 58 individuals, comprising women and children, who were victims of trafficking.
Muhammad Osman Gani, the Officer in Charge (OC) of Teknaf Model Police Station, confirmed these developments to the media.
The arrested individuals include 23-year-old Md Yasin, identified as the leader of the Yasin group, operating in Teknaf Sadar Union’s Maheshkhaliya Para.
Along with Yasin, three other key members were apprehended: Md. Zubayer (35) from Dorgarchhara, Nazir Hossain (61) from North Lombori, and Ramimul Islam Radid (31) from Lakshminarayanpur, Durgapur Union, Begumganj Upazila, Noakhali District.
The operation, which took place near the Marine Drive road adjacent to the BGB signboard in Hatiarghona, Teknaf Sadar Union, saw some suspects attempting to escape as police arrived.
Nonetheless, with the combined efforts of officers and forces, the main accused were detained, although several others managed to flee.
As a result of this operation, 58 victims of human trafficking, including 9 men, 16 women, and 33 children, were rescued and brought under legal protection.
It has been revealed that 57 of these rescued individuals are residents of various Rohingya refugee camps under the jurisdiction of Ukhia-Teknaf police stations.
Traffickers have exploited the socio-economic vulnerabilities and environmental desperation of these individuals.
They were deceived with false promises of a better life, lucrative employment opportunities, and marriage prospects.
The victims were gradually brought to the trafficking location over a period of 3-4 days, with the intention of subjecting them to sexual exploitation, fraudulent marriages, and forced labor.
The traffickers, in collusion with various syndicates, planned to transport these victims to countries such as Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
OC Muhammad Osman Gani emphasised that the police are continuing their operations to apprehend other members involved in these organised human trafficking rings.
