Six Sylheti Youth Missing for Five Days After Traveling to Cox’s Bazar for Construction Work

Staff Correspondent

Six young men from Sylhet’s Jakiganj upazila, who traveled to Cox’s Bazar for construction work, have been missing for five days. The missing individuals, all from West Loharmohol village, are Rashid Ahmed (20), Maruf Ahmed (18), Shahin Ahmed (21), Emad Uddin (22), Khaled Hasan (19), and Abdul Jalil (55).

Their families, now in distress, suspect that a human trafficking ring may have lured the group under the pretense of work and taken them to Teknaf, potentially to traffic them to Malaysia or elsewhere by sea.

The group departed Jakiganj for Cox’s Bazar on April 15. Upon arrival the next day, they contacted their families by phone. However, all communication ceased shortly afterward, as their phones were found switched off.

Jakiganj Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC), Zahirul Islam, stated, “We have been informed about the incident today. The families have reported the matter to us, and we are investigating.”

Police tracking revealed that the last known location of two individuals’ phones was Teknaf. Family members have since traveled to Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf, seeking assistance.

Teknaf Model Police Station’s OC, Muhammad Gias Uddin, confirmed awareness of the case, although no official complaint had been filed as of 8 p.m. He added that investigations were ongoing.

Teknaf has recently gained notoriety as a hub for human trafficking. Reports indicate that criminal groups kidnap individuals for ransom or smuggle them via sea routes. A recent operation by the Bangladesh Navy intercepted a Malaysia-bound trawler with 214 people onboard, many of whom were Rohingya women, men, and adolescents.

Emad Uddin’s cousin, Abdul Basit, expressed concern, stating, “They last contacted us on the evening of April 16. Since April 17, their phones have been off, and we have no clue about their whereabouts. We believe they fell victim to traffickers.”

Khaled Hasan’s father, UP member Safar Uddin, pleaded for help, saying, “We have tried everything for five days but have no trace of my son. We want our loved ones back.”