Police rescued five tribal youths from a remote forest in South Rangunia. -Photo:BSS

CHATTOGRAM, June 1, 2025 (BSS) - Police rescued five tribal youths from a remote forest in South Rangunia of the district within 24 hours of their abduction today.

The operation, led by South Rangunia Police Station, found the youths tied up in the deep hilly areas of Mahisherbam village under Padua Union on Saturday night.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shifatul Mazdar said that the victims were discovered with their hands and feet bound, tied to trees in a secluded part of the forest.

The rescued youths were identified as Paiswiching Marma, Mankyu Marma, Usingmong Marma, Thuisamong Marma and Chasing Marma, all residents of Amtoli Para under Chandraghona Police Station in Rangamati district.

According to police, the youths had ventured into the forest on the evening of May 30 to catch frogs in the rain. Around 11.30 pm, while passing through Lalarkhil in Padua Union, they were abducted at gunpoint by a group of five to six unidentified armed individuals.

The kidnappers later contacted the victims' families around 9 am on Saturday, demanding a ransom of Tk 5 lakh and threatening to kill the youths if the payment was not made.

Upon receiving a complaint from the victims' relatives later that day, police launched a swift rescue mission. Multiple teams conducted operations in the Barakhola Marmapara and Mahisherbam hill areas, successfully locating the hostages that night.

Md. Russell, Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) for Chattogram District, confirmed that the abductors fled the scene before police arrived. 

"Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible," he said, adding that legal proceedings are underway.