5 CU students abducted in Khagrachhari freed after 8 days

Law enforcers say that five University of Chittagong students abducted nine days ago in Khagrachhari have been rescued.

Arefin Jewel, superintendent of police in Khagrachhari, confirmed that they had been freed on Thursday afternoon.

Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) President Nipon Tripura also confirmed their release to the media around 3pm.

A press release signed by University of Chittagong unit PCP Information and Publicity Secretary Rebek Chakma said that PCP CU branch member Rishan Chakma and four of his friends - Maitrimoy Chakma from the university’s Department of Fine Arts, Dibby Chakma from the Department of Dramatics, Longi Mro from the Department of Zoology and Aldrin Tripura, another student of fine arts – have been released in stages.

The PCP has expressed gratitude to everyone involved for their safe return.

Five students were abducted from the Giriful area of Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila at 6:30am on Apr 16 while returning to Chattogram after the Biju festival. A driver who was with them was also picked up at the time but was later released.

Although the leaders of the PCP faction supporting Santu Larma have blamed their rival hill political organisation UPDF for the incident from the beginning, the faction led by Prasit Khisa has been denying it.