Armed hill terrorists have released 26 abducted workers in exchange for ransom from the remote hilly area of Murungjhiri's rubber plantation in Fasiakhali, Lama Upazila, Bandarban.
The workers were freed on Tuesday morning (February 18), confirmed Lama Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Shahadat Hossain.
Md Forkan, the owner of Arafat Rubber Plantation, stated that he had to pay 3 lakh taka to secure the release of 12 workers from his plantation. An additional 7 lakh taka was paid to free 14 workers from five other plantations, for a total ransom of 10 lakh taka.
The hostages were subjected to severe physical abuse. Following their release, they are now receiving medical treatment at Eidgaon Upazila Hospital in Cox's Bazar district.
OC Shahadat Hossain further confirmed that all 26 workers have been freed and are currently being treated at Eidgaon Health Complex.
This incident follows a similar abduction on February 1, when terrorists kidnapped seven workers from the Lingpung area of Sarai Union in the same upazila.
However, under pressure from a joint security force operation, the captors were forced to release them.
