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Police detained 12 people, including eight Rohingyas and four suspected human traffickers, in Sylhet’s Kanaighat while they were allegedly being taken to India through the border.
The group was intercepted around 3pm Monday in the Kuorer Mati area of Dighirpar union with assistance from local residents.
The suspected traffickers were identified as Asad Ahmed and Saddam Hossain of Kanaighat, Rafiq Ahmed of Shantiganj in Sunamganj and Elach Uddin of Netrakona.
The eight Rohingyas—Enayet Hossain, Abdul Mubin, Zuber Ahmed, Ajida Begum, Jamila Begum, Fatema Bibi, Nur Fatema and Ajida—are residents of the Kutupalong camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar.
Police said the group had travelled from Kadamtali in Sylhet city to Kanaighat in two CNG-powered auto-rickshaws.
They allegedly planned to cross into India through the Dona border. A boat was reportedly arranged in advance near Batar Bazar on the Surma River to help them cross the border.
Local residents became suspicious after noticing repeated phone calls between the suspected traffickers and a boatman as the group’s arrival was delayed.
They stopped the two auto-rickshaws near Kuorer Mati Madrasa and questioned the passengers, eventually discovering the alleged plan. Police were informed and detained all 12 individuals.
Kanaighat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam said the Rohingyas had allegedly left the Kutupalong camp and were attempting to cross the border into India.
Legal proceedings against the detainees are underway, he said.