The coastal regions of Cox’s Bazar has become well-known for being a safe haven for human traffickers as many vested interest quarters continue to smuggle people off to Malaysia through the sea route on a regular basis using various schemes and techniques.
Most of the victims consist of aspiring migrant workers from different districts of the country, who had been lured by unscrupulous middlemen promising them employment in Malaysia. As migration cost through the sea route is comparatively low, these people risk their lives to make it to their destination illegally.
Some have also died or disappeared in such attempts, leaving their families in great despair.
Talking to police officials and local people, it is learnt that at first several middlemen gather aspiring migrant workers from various districts. Then the victims are brought to Chittagong from where another group takes them to Cox’s Bazar.
According to an intelligence report of Border Guard Bangladesh, these middlemen use small fishing boats to carry the Malaysia-bound passengers from the coastal areas Kutubdia, Katabunia and Hariakhali of Teknaf under Cox’s Bazar and hand them over to another group with large engine-run boats near St Martin Island. These boats usually come from Myanmar and Thailand.
Besides, traffickers have selected Badamtoli of Ukhia’s coastal areas while Choangkhali, Zaubagan, Inani, Mankhali, Rejubreez, Khonarpara and Septkhali have become safe spots for human trafficking to Malaysia.
Human trafficking gangs have also devised a new strategy to rob its victims while promising them with jobs in Malaysia. As part of their new strategy, one does not require to pay in advanced to go to Malaysia.
But, instead of sending the victims to Malaysia, the traffickers take them hostage in Thailand. Then, they realise Tk1.8 lakh to Tk2 lakh from each of the victims’ families, through bank accounts, courier service or bKash.
Nurul Islam, an aspirant migrant worker from Shonarpara of Ukhia under Cox’s Bazar, with the help of local middleman, risked his life on sea route to go to Malaysia but has gone missing for over four months.
“Middleman Shamsur assured that he would take my son in small fishing boat and then to a big ship,” Nurul’s father Nomiuddin Shawdagor told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday afternoon.
“Four months and 20 days have passed since my son left, but we still could not find a trace,” he added.
“When I went to Shamsur to ask about the whereabouts of my son, he told me that my son is alive but could not give any specific information,” said the victim’s father, adding: “Seven of our neighbour also disappeared.”
The intelligence report also added that the BGB, RAB and Ukhia police had arrested over 1,000 Malaysia-bound passengers by conducting drives in various places. Local people also believe that these middlemen were trafficking people to Malaysia with the help of the local administration.
The BGB report also mentioned names of some of the traffickers in the area, including one Md. Rustom Ali, son of late Yousuf Ali of Sonaichari village in Cox’s Bazar.
Talking to this correspondent, Md. Rustom Ali denied the allegation and claimed that he was only a fisherman.
“I have three fishing boats for fishing only,” Ali claimed.
Meanwhile, Ukhia police station Officer-In-Charge Zahidul Kabir told the Dhaka Tribune that it was difficult for law enforcing agencies to keep constant vigilance as the middlemen use various spots, such as Inani, Pacher Deep and Shahapuer Deep for their illicit activities.
“It is difficult for us to check trafficking from such a long distance,” he said.
“We have arrested 15 middlemen, and four cases have been filed and two charge sheets have been formed. Most of the time, people go individually in these fishing boat and therefore it becomes difficult to trace as there is no identity cards for fishermen,” Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police Azad Mia told the Dhaka Tribune. He also added that there were some limitations as the shipping police was yet to be formed.
On the other hand, there are only 12 coast guards for entire Cox’s Bazar coastal region.