Two of them aged 15; SRB-1 says they were forcibly confined and tortured.
TBS Report
27 October, 2026, 10:00 pm
Last modified: 27 October, 2026, 10:04 pm
The Special Response Battalion-1 (SRB-1) has rescued 12 ethnic minority women -- including two 15-year-olds -- who were allegedly lured from Chattogram with promises of high-paying jobs and other benefits in China and held in Dhaka for trafficking abroad.
Shah Alam, senior assistant director (operations and media officer) of SRB-1, confirmed the matter today (27 October).
The women were allegedly held at a house without passports or valid travel documents for the purpose of trafficking them abroad, according to the battalion.
The rescued women are Memachi Marma, 15; Mangshanu Mogni, 18; Rekha Chakma, 28; Kanchi Chakma, 22; Birupati Chakma, 28; Punnarekha Chakma, 28; Chaichaiyo Marma, 22; Kristina Roalmoy Bailtung, 19; Pushpita Chakma, 21; Pinky Chakma, 15; Bobita Chakma, 27; and Adarshi Chakma, 21.
Shah Alam said a general diary was filed with Bayezid Bostami Police Station in Chattogram on 18 October over the women's disappearance.
Acting on the complaint, SRB-1 conducted a raid near Zamzam Tower in Uttara around 3pm on 26 October and rescued Memachi Marma and Mangshanu Mogni.
Based on information provided by the two women, the battalion launched another raid at a house on Road 56 in Block E under Bhatara Police Station. The operation began at 8pm on 26 October and continued until 1am on 27 October, leading to the rescue of the remaining 10 women.
According to Shah Alam, questioning of the rescued women revealed that they had been brought from Chattogram after being promised high-paying jobs, other benefits, and opportunities to go to China.
They were allegedly held against their will at the house without passports or valid travel documents for trafficking abroad. The women also reported being subjected to physical and mental abuse.
They were allegedly enticed with offers to involve them in various illicit activities, Shah Alam said.
He also said the rescued women, including the two teenagers, were handed over to their families after necessary procedures.
The victims' families are pursuing legal action in connection with the incident, he added.