A Union Parishad has witnessed 11 abductions and 13 robberies at Naikhangchhari upazila in Bandarban in the last four months.
Locals have become seized with a great sense of panic over such incidents.
They say there was no week in the last four months when either robbery and abduction or both did not take place here.
They also say they have become held hostage to a quarter which enjoys political clout.
They add that they keep vigil over the night to save the union from any kind of abduction or robbery, but this is hardly bearing any fruit because this gang seems to have a high backing from some influential quarters.
The latest abduction took place in the wee hours of Tuesday.
Seven to eight armed robbers abducted Maulana Rashid Ahmed Imam, 39, from his house at the staff quarter of Plot 6 Tolatuli under Nazma Khatun Rubber Garden about 2am on Tuesday.
They later called up Manager Al Amin and demanded Tk2lakh for the release of Imam.
He had not been set free until filing of this report yesterday evening.
Local police however say he might have been abducted by those who belong to the robbers’ gang led by Sapu.
Sapu is known as a notorious robber in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban.
Sapu’s gang has been perpetrating robberies, abductions and murders for so long at Ramu and Ukhia upazila in Cox’s Bazar and at Naikhangchhari and Lama upazila in Bandarban.
Naikhangchhari’s Baishari Investigation Centre In-Charge Sub-Inspector Anisur Rahman says they are trying to rescue Imam.
Baishari Union Parishad chairman Monirul Haq says: “We have been living in a constant fear of abduction and robberies in the union. Steps should be taken about this urgently.”
“These abductors may be on the good terms with some influential ruling party leaders,” he says, adding: Mostly, Rohingyas are involved in the abductions here.”
Naikhangchhari upazila borders Myanmar.
Locals also allege that whoever among the police officers gets active against robbery and abduction here is transferred elsewhere.
Naikhangchhari police station Officer-in-Charge Farid Hossain says the number of abductions has comparatively come down in the upazila.
