Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem on Sunday talked to the victims of human trafficking who were rescued recently from a jungle in southern Thai province Songkhla and assured them of sending back to the country, says State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam.
“While Saida Muna was talking to the rescued people some 15 claimed themselves as Bangladesh nationals,” Shahriar Alam said while interacting over the issue with journalists at his office on Sunday.
According to report at least 123 human trafficking victims including 91 Bangladesh nationals were rescued in last few days from Khao Kaew mountain areas and a jungle in Rattaphum of Thailand’s Songkhla province bordering Malaysia.
Besides, Thai police spotted another 32 Bangladesh nationals on Saturday along the edge of a forest in the mountain.
The police in the anti-trafficking report stated 3,793 fortune-seekers were rescued from different places over the last five years. A total of 276 cases were filed against 1,589 alleged traffickers so far. Shahriar Alam said the ambassador and officials of Bangladesh Embassy to Thailand talked to them at Sadao district general hospital where they are now under treatment.
“Besides, our embassy also has taken initiative to meet 92 and 32 other human trafficking victims who also claimed themselves as Bangladesh nationals,” he said.
“The 15 victims including one Toton Shaha, 28 hailing from Naryanganj talked to me and described their horror experience,” Saida Muna Tasneem was quoted as saying.
When the Bangladesh Ambassador wanted to know their nationality, one Toton Shaha said he is from Narayanganj.
“When I confirmed his (Toton) nationality I have assured him of sending back to the country after completing all procedure of the Thai government,” quoting the Bangladesh Ambassador State Minister for Foreign Affairs told the journalists.
The Bangladesh Ambassador apprised the Thai government of the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s firm directive of taking stern action against the human traffickers.
