Ukhiya, Nov 18 (V7N)- RAB-15 has rescued 31 individuals, including 27 Rohingyas and 4 Bengalis, who were held captive by human traffickers in Teknaf’s Baharchhara Kachchapiya hilly area. The operation, conducted on Sunday night (November 17), also led to the arrest of two suspected traffickers.

The arrested suspects were identified as Md. Anwar (44), son of the late Achiur Rahman of Pankhali Ward No. 4, Hnila, and Atiqur Rahman (32), son of the late Rafiq of North Lumbari Ward No. 2, Sadar Union.

Acting on a tip-off, a team from RAB-15’s Hoikang Camp launched a special operation in the remote hilly area where the victims had been detained, reportedly in preparation for smuggling them to Malaysia.

Among the rescued individuals were men, women, and children from the Rohingya refugee community, alongside four Bengali citizens.

Speaking about the operation, Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Hafizur Rahman, in charge of the RAB Camp CPC-2 at Hoikang, stated:
 "The rescued Rohingyas will be handed over to their respective camps, and the Bengalis will be reunited with their families. Legal action will be taken against the arrested individuals, and cases will be filed."

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking in the region, with vulnerable communities like the Rohingyas often targeted by trafficking rings. Law enforcement agencies have been intensifying operations to combat such activities, especially in areas like Teknaf, which serve as trafficking hotspots due to their geographical proximity to international borders.

The swift action by RAB-15 underscores the commitment of the authorities to protect victims and dismantle trafficking networks operating in the region. Further investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of the trafficking operation and bring all those involved to justice.

END/SI/AJ