by Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar Camps | May 26, 2026
A Rohingya youth activist and teacher has safely returned home after reportedly being kidnapped in the camp area on Sunday afternoon, bringing relief to students, family members, and community residents.
The victim was identified as Mohammed Anas, who is widely known in the Rohingya community as “Anas Mdw.”
According to local sources, the 26-year-old activist reportedly went missing around 4:30 PM on May 25 while travelling on the Foliya Fara road toward KTP Market.
Students and community members became concerned after they were unable to contact him from around 5:30 PM onward. Calls to his phone reportedly went unanswered throughout the evening.
One of his students from Camp-20 said Mohammed Anas used two mobile phones and that one device had been left at home before he went out.
The student explained that online activity later noticed on one of the phones may have come from family members using the device, while Anas himself reportedly remained offline after the afternoon.
According to local sources, family members later received phone calls from kidnappers demanding 500,000 taka for his release.
Residents said the family was unable to arrange the full amount and later negotiated with the kidnappers before reportedly paying 300,000 taka.
Following the payment, the kidnappers allegedly informed the family that Mohammed Anas would be released and allowed to return home safely during the night.
Late Monday night, Anas reportedly reunited safely with his family.
Mohammed Anas is known in the community as a youth activist, counselor, teacher, and member of a UCR sub-committee. News of his reported kidnapping had created fear and concern among residents in the refugee camps.
Community members also urged people not to spread false or unverified information regarding the incident and to respect the family’s privacy during the sensitive situation.
