A joint force rescued 66 people, including women and children, from a hideout in the remote hills of Teknaf last night (18 September) while they were being gathered for trafficking to Malaysia by sea.
Lt Commander Siam-ul-Haque, media officer of the Coast Guard headquarters, said the drive was carried out at Kachhapia hill area under Baharchhara union of Teknaf Upazila last night.
Among the rescued are 23 women, 22 men and 21 children, most of whom are Rohingya.
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According to joint force officials, some of the rescued victims were abducted, while others had been lured with promises of reaching Malaysia but were later held hostage by organised trafficking groups.
Lt Commander Siam-ul-Haque said law enforcement learned that a group of people was being assembled for sea trafficking to Malaysia around 8:30pm yesterday. Later, a joint team of the Coast Guard and Navy launched an operation. Sensing their presence, 15 to 20 traffickers managed to flee. Several secret hideouts were then discovered on the hilltops.
“From these hideouts, 66 people were rescued. They said organised gangs in Teknaf are active in abduction and trafficking. Some were promised illegal passage abroad, while others were abducted for ransom,” he said.
The Coast Guard is working to identify the traffickers involved. Legal procedures are underway at Teknaf Police Station to ensure the rescued are handed over to their families.
Siam-ul-Haque added that more details about the operation will be shared at a press briefing at the Coast Guard Teknaf Station.
