C T Online Desk: Kidnappers have released the five students of the University of Chittagong (CU) almost a week after abducting them from the Giriful area of Khagrachhari.
Mounting pressure from the law enforcers, civil administration and general people forced the abductors to free the students in phases on Wednesday, claimed the Pahari Chhatra Parishad, which is supported by the Santu Larma-led JSS faction, in a press release on Thursday.
On Thursday, CU Proctor Professor Dr Tanvir Mohammad Haidar Arif confirmed the matter, saying, “We have spoken with the guardian of one of the students. All of the abducted students have safely returned to their families.”
The released students are Maitrimoy Chakma and Aldrin Tripura from the Institute of Fine Arts, Dibby Chakma from the Department of Drama, Rishon Chakma from the Department of International Relations, and Longngi Mro from the Department of Zoology. All are students of the 2023–24 academic session.
Pahari Chhatra Parishad has repeatedly accused the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) of involvement in the abduction. However, UPDF has denied the allegation.
Earlier, on Monday, joint forces conducted a raid on a secret hideout of the UPDF in an attempt to rescue the students. During the operation, law enforcers recovered donation receipts, laptops, mobile phones, military uniforms, and a large amount of training equipment.
In early morning, on 16 April, the five CU students were abducted from the Giriful area in Khagrachhari while returning to Chattogram.
