Miscreants abducted five farmers while working in a hilly pocket at gunpoint in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Thursday.
The miscreants are also reportedly demanding Tk 30 lakh from the victims’ families as ransom.
The victims are Md Rafik, 22, son of Fakir Mohammad, Jihan, 13, son of Shahjahan, Shawon, 15, son of Syed Ullah, Md Nur, 18, son of Abdur Nur, and Abdur Rahman, 15, son of Nurul Amin, all hailing from Pankhali area under Hrnila union of the upazila.
Local Hrnila Union Parishad Chairman Rashed Mohammad confirmed the matter, saying the criminals demanded Tk 30 lakh as ransom and they have already informed the matter to local police administration.
Victim Rafik’s elder brother Md Shafik said like any other day Rafik went to the hill to cultivate Jhum on Wednesday afternoon but didn’t return home to have Seheri early Thursday.
“Later on Thursday afternoon one person phoned me seeking Tk 30 lakh as ransom,” he said, adding that they informed the matter to local representatives.
Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Osman Gani said they were apprised of the matter and were taking necessary measures to rescue the farmers.