Police allegedly handed over three tourists to human traffickers in exchange for money in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday.
Of the three victims, one Md Faruq Hossain of Jessore was rescued by local residents, while two others - Mukubul Hossain and Md Russel - remain missing.
Faruq said he and two of his friends arrived at Cox’s Bazar on Friday on a vacation. On Saturday morning, they were held by police officials from Inani police outpost in Ukhia when they were heading towards Teknaf through Marine Drive Road from Cox’s Bazar town.
In the afternoon, police reportedly handed over the three victims to human traffickers in exchange for money. Soon, the victims learned that they would be shipped off to Malaysia illegally.
Human trafficker had also seized their mobile phones when they tried to contact their families. The victims were then forcefully boarded on three separate cars and taken to three different locations.
Later, locals managed to rescue Faruk after he started screaming when the car reached Sonapara Bazar area in Ukhia.
After spending the night at a local house, Faruk went to report the incident to the Additional Superintendent of Police in Cox’s Bazar yesterday morning.
When contacted, Additional Superintendent of Police Chotrodhor Tripura told the Dhaka Tribune: “I also advised him to submit a written complaint in this regard. But he has not done so. However, action would be taken after an investigation.”
Inani police outpost in-charge SI Md Said Mia said he was not aware of the incident as he on a leave on Saturday and SI Borhan Uddin was in charge.
Borhan, however, said he was not aware of the incident either.
