Woman, elderly man emerges from tunnel as secret hideout found inside house in Sirajganj

Locals found a secret hideout inside an under-construction house in Raigonj upazila of Sirajganj, from where two people, including a housewife and an elderly man, emerged through a tunnel early yesterday (2 May).

The woman and the elderly man came out of the tunnel around 3am, and locals set fire to the house yesterday morning (2 May), reports Prothom Alo.

Faruk Hossain, superintendent of police for Sirajganj, said a person named Arafat is currently in police custody for questioning.

Md Asaduzzaman, officer-in-charge of Raigonj Police Station, said, "We have been at the spot since morning. The family members of the two missing persons had complained to us. We will take necessary actions if cases are filed."

"Upon receiving information, Fire Service and Civil Defence officials brought the fire under control," the OC added. 

Locals alleged that the secret hideout was being used to keep people hostage and collect ransom, issuing threats of selling kidneys and other crimes like grabbing lands.

The two people who came out of the tunnel were identified as Shilpi Khatun, 48 and Abdul Jabbar, 75.

The duo built the tunnel by excavating the floor of the secret hideout with a scissor, who described the matter to their family members and informed police later upon coming out of the hideout.

"I had been kept hostage at this place for five months. During this period, I was kept at another place for one month, and I can't remember the location. Sometimes injections were pushed into my body to make me senseless," Shilpi said.

"Some people, including village doctor Arafat and Sharif Member, used to come to the hideout. There was another person named Abdul Jabbar with me at the hideout," Shilpi added.

Meanwhile, Jabbar has been admitted into Upazila Health Complex for treatment as he fell sick upon coming out of the hideout.

Shafiqul Islam, Jabbar's son, said, "My father went missing on the afternoon of 8 November 2024. Not finding him anywhere, I lodged a general diary with the police station. However, police also failed to find my father."

"My father came out of the secret hideout strategically. He has been admitted into the hospital due to falling sick," Shafiqul added.

According to locals, the house where Shilpi and Jabbar were held hostages is owned by a person named Sumon Sheikh.

Nazmul Hossain Talukder alias Arafat, a village doctor from West Lakkhikola village in the upazila, has built some small rooms as part of a secret hideout after renting the house from Sumon, locals added.

Arafat reportedly works as a reporter for a national daily.