A total of 17 workers of the Forest Department, including several suspected to be Rohingya nationals, have been abducted while carrying out forestry-related work in the Hnila Jadimura West Hills of Teknaf, Cox's Bazar.
The incident was confirmed on Monday (30 December) by Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer, UNO Sheikh Ehsan Uddin.
The abducted individuals are identified as: Forest worker Saiful Islam, 22, Syed, 50, Rafiq, worker Ayub Khan, 18, Ayub Ali, 50, Ansar Ullah, 18, Ayat Ullah, 22, Shamshu, 45, Islam, 21, Shamshu, 40, Ismail, 35, Mohammad Hasim, 40, Noor Mohammad, 21, Syed Amin, 30, Safi Ullah, 30, Ayub, 50, Mahata Amin, 18, and two others whose identities have not yet been confirmed.
It is reported that many of the victims are believed to be Rohingya.
UNO Sheikh Ehsan Uddin stated that the workers were abducted from the Hnila Jadimura area while performing their duties. He assured that law enforcement agencies are working diligently to rescue them.
Abdur Rashid, Range Officer of the Teknaf Forest Department, said the workers were abducted as they went about their daily work in the forest.
He added that the Coast Guard, law enforcement agencies, and local administration, including the Armed Police Battalion, have intensified efforts to secure their safe release.
The abduction has raised concerns regarding security in the region, and authorities continue their operations in hopes of rescuing the labourers safely.