Cox's Bazar grocer buys freedom for Tk 1 lakh

A grocer yesterday bought his freedom for Tk 1 lakh, a day after his abduction in Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila.

On Tuesday, armed criminals kidnapped Mohammad Tarek, 26, son of Kabir Ahmed of Bhaditola area, and demanded Tk 5 lakh as ransom.

Kabir said after failing to get cooperation from local administration to rescue his son, he met neighbour Lt Col (retd) Forkan Ahmed, chairman of Cox's Bazar Development Authority.

Forkan over mobile phone asked the kidnappers to release Tarek.  He also told them that a combing operation will be conducted to rescue Tarek.

The kidnappers then started beating Tarek and made his relatives hear the sound of the torture over mobile phone. 

At one stage, Tarek's father agreed to pay Tk 1 lakh for his son's release.

The abductors then settled on a deep jungle east of Joarianala area in Ramu upazila to receive the money.

When Tarek's father and elder brother went there, the abductors tied them and tortured them for informing the law enforcers about the incident.

However, the kidnappers late released Tarek, his father and elder brother at midnight after taking Tk 1 lakh.

The OC of Sadar Police Station said he has no information of Tk one lakh being paid as ransom for  Tarek's release.