Unidentified people, allegedly from an outlawed indigenous group, abducted the Awami League (AL) president of Guimara upazila in Khagrachhari on Sunday along with his motorcycle driver.
Police report that Md Jahangir Alam, 52, and his motorcycle driver Mohammad Harun, 28, were abducted while they were coming back to Guimara from the Baillachhari area of Matiranga upazila around 3pm.
Mohammad Hanif, elder son of Jahangir, suspects the pair may have been abducted for ransom. He explained that in the last couple of days, his father had faced extortion demands from some people in relation to a development project.
Following the abduction, local Al activists staged a procession and rally in protest and are reported to have burned tires and blockaded roads by cutting trees in the district.
Khagrachhari AL President Konjuri Chowdhury issued an ultimatum to the administration, saying that if the two could not be freed by 6pm on Monday his supporters will call a hartal in the district.
Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah, Deputy Commissioner Md Masud Karim, and Superintendent of Police SK Mizanur Rahman visited the spot and talked to the angry mob.
Bashir Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Guimara police station, said a joint force, including local police, was trying to rescue them.