Habiganj Representative/

23 youths have gone to Italy after being caught by the godfather of the human trafficking gang, Palash and his associates, son of Jalal Uddin of Karab village of Lakhai upazila of Habiganj.

After being tortured in Libya for a long time, they returned home but now they have nothing to support them.

It is known that a few years ago, Palash Ahmed, son of Jalal Uddin of Karab village of Lakhai upazila, UP member Mohibur Rahman, Tofazzal Mia of Soneshwar village, Sumon Mia of Begunai village and Sohan Mia of Karab village left home for Italy.

A former chairman took money from the affected youth on their behalf. Broker Palash and his gang first took 10 lakhs from the youth. The affected youths were supposed to be sent to Italy via Dubai, but the brokers took them to Libya through Dubai. They took Palash’s game home and detained them there. After keeping their games at home, Dalal Chakra again took 5/6 lakhs from the youths by promising to give them games in the 2nd round. The brokers could not give games to the affected youth with that money.

Last June 4 at around 11 pm Libyan time, the law enforcement forces there searched a game room and detained 150 immigrants. These youths were taken to the camp and kept imprisoned. Of these there were 63 people. Some of those 63 people were released from prison by paying money, but most of the youths were not released. The youths detained in that prison were tortured physically and mentally. Many young people have fallen ill due to the torture.

Among the 63 people arrested by Dalal Palash, 23 youths of Habiganj were released and returned to the country with the help of an international organization on July 31. Among them are Shahjalal Shibulu, son of Khalek Mia of Puran Munsefi area of Habiganj city, Ripon Mia, son of Moti Mia of Gajariakandi village of Lukra Union of Habiganj Sadar Upazila, Ataur Rahman of Ritchie village, Samchu Mia, son of Tahir Mia of the same village, Ziaur Rahman of Takshir Mia of Fandrail village, Lakhai upazila. Rezaul Ahmed son of Hadich Mia of Katiara village, Abdur Rahman son of Kamal Mia of Girunda village, Sheikhbul Mia son of Haji Rang Mia of the same village, Sabbir Ahmed son of Samuj Ali of Sinhagram, Morshed Mia son of Mintu Mia of Tegharia village, Monir Hossain son of Ali Azgar of Bamoi Nowagao village. The names of the others have not been released. The brokers took several rounds of money, promising to give them games as hostages or send them by boat to Italy.

The victim, Sabbir Ahmed, said that broker Palash first took 10 lakh taka from me by saying that he would send me directly from Dubai to Italy. But after bringing to Dubai, another flight took me to Libya after staying there for 7 days. Take the game and keep it at home. I pressured him when he was not sending me to Italy after many days had passed. At one point he grabbed another 5 lakh rupees saying he would give me the game in a couple of days. But it didn’t give me any more games. In this way, not only I, but many people like me have taken money in stages. Again the brokers sell many youths to the mafia. The mafia took it there and beat up the youth first. They have to pay 5 to 6 lakhs to escape torture. Many have been arrested 2/3 times by mafia gangs. Basically the brokers sell them to the mafia. In this way, many people with me from Libya have suffered 35/40 lakh taka. In order to pay that money, their family sold their land and house and got into debt. Many have lost their homes and now have to sit on the road. Sabbir demanded the administration to take necessary action against the broker Palash Ahmed and his accomplices to recover their money.

Meanwhile, the victims Ataur Rahman Samchu Miah, Ziaur Rahman, Rezaul Ahmed, Abdur Rahman Shekrul Miah, Sabbir Ahmed, Morshed Miah, Monir Hossain said that a year ago the broker Palash Ahmed and other members of his gang enticed them to send them directly from Dubai to Italy. At one point, these young people were tempted and migrated to Italy. But after they were taken to Dubai, they were taken to Libya instead of being sent directly to Italy. After taking over Libya, they were kept in a game house. Hundreds of people are crammed into the game room. They were not allowed to go outside that game room. If they took a bath one day, they could not take a bath another day because there was no water. Cooked food in the morning should be eaten in the afternoon as well. Palash and others had to demand their arrest even though they never ate again.

Locals said that once Jalal Uddin went to Panta Furato to bring salt, today he owns several crores of rupees. He has a luxurious house in the city, several cars. Not only that, his associates are also millionaires today. Sohan has a nominal shop in Karab Bazar. And the money of the brokers is deposited behind it.

In this regard, Muhibur Rahman, a former member of Karab village, said that his nephew Palash took people in Italy. But none of us are involved in it. Sohan said, he does not send any people. People go through Palash. Only cash is kept with me.