Ctg police rescue 3 abducted ISKCON members, arrest 4 associates of Burma Saiful

The Chattogram police on Saturday night (25 January) rescued three members of ISKCON, including the priest of the Probortak Sri Krishna Temple in the port city, who were reportedly abducted earlier in the day by a notorious gang led by Burma Saiful.

The victims are Keshab Mitra Das, 43, the priest of ISKCON Probortak Sri Krishna Temple, temple staff Rubel Rudra, 42, and local resident Samir Das, 45, Chattogram Metropolitan Police's (CMP) Deputy Commissioner (crime) Rois Uddin said in a media briefing on Sunday morning (26 January).

The arrested individuals were identified as Bashir Ahmed Rana, 27, Md Jihad, 24, Md Arif, 24, and Md Iman Hossain Saddam, 23.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded a ransom of Tk9 lakh for the release of the victims.

The CMP official stated that all four suspects are associates of Burma Saiful, a top-listed criminal in the region, who was recently expelled from the BNP's student wing Chhatra Dal for his involvement in criminal activities.

He was the assistant general secretary of the Chattogram city unit of Chhatra Dal. 

Speaking about the rescue operation, Rois said, "Chattogram police launched an operation on Saturday evening after receiving intelligence about the kidnappings.

"The criminals, sensing the police's approach, relocated the victims to a garden behind the Labor Welfare Center in the Polytechnic area. However, a team from the Detective Branch (DB) North-South Division swiftly tracked and intercepted the kidnappers."

He further stated, "The victims were rescued unharmed, and four members of the gang were arrested during the operation. Police also recovered five motorcycles, 10 machetes, and various other weapons."

Providing details about the kidnappings, the CMP deputy commissioner said, "The abductions occurred between 10:30am and 4:00am on Saturday.

"The victims were initially held on the fourth floor of a building in Hillview, where the kidnappers demanded a ransom of 9 lakh taka from their families. The victims endured severe physical abuse during their captivity."

"The kidnappers later moved the victims to the garden behind the Labor Welfare Center to evade police detection. However, the swift action of the DB team foiled their plans," he added.

Meanwhile, speaking about the arrestees, Rois said all four of them have extensive criminal records.

"Bashir Ahmed Rana is implicated in eight criminal cases, while Asif faces ten cases. The other two suspects, Jihad and Arif, are also involved in multiple cases, including theft, robbery, extortion, and other crimes."

Speaking about Burma Saiful's involvement, DC Rois Uddin confirmed that the arrested individuals are close associates of the wanted criminal. Saiful remains at large.

"We are actively working to apprehend Saiful, and efforts are underway to bring him to justice," Rois Uddin stated. He emphasised that Saiful's political identity would not shield him from legal consequences.

The arrested suspects are currently in custody, and legal proceedings against them are ongoing. Police have assured the public that they remain committed to dismantling criminal networks in the region.

Swatantra Gauranga Das Brahmachari, an organiser of  Sammilita Sanatan Jagaran Jote and a member of the managing committee of Probortak Sri Krishna Temple, could not be reached for a comment in this regard.