Six construction workers from a village in Sylhet’s Zakiganj upazila have been missing for six days after traveling to Cox’s Bazar for work.

The missing individuals are: Rashid Ahmad (20), son of the late Lukuch Miah; Maruf Ahmad (18), son of Faruk Ahmad; Shahin Ahmad (21), son of Azir Uddin; Emad Uddin (22), son of the late Durai Miah; Khaled Hasan (19), son of Safar Uddin; and Abdul Jalil (55), son of the late Sorbodi. All are residents of West Loharmohol village in Khalachhara Union of Zakiganj.

According to family sources, the six men left Zakiganj on April 15 for Cox’s Bazar in search of work. They reportedly reached Cox’s Bazar on April 16 and made contact with their families that evening. Since then, their phones have been switched off, and there has been no communication, causing deep concern among their families.

Police have stated that, through mobile location tracking, the last known locations of two of the missing men were in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. Law enforcement is actively working on the case.

Abdul Basit Dulal, cousin of missing Emad Uddin and uncle of missing Khaled Hasan, said that the group had left their village on April 15 and reached Cox’s Bazar by the following day. Around 6:00 PM on April 16, Emad Uddin called home and confirmed they had arrived at their workplace. That was the last time they were heard from. Subsequent calls to their phones have gone unanswered, with all devices found to be switched off.

“At first we thought it might be a temporary issue, but after five days without any communication, we are extremely worried,” he said.

Dulal added that when they tried to file a general diary (GD) at Zakiganj Police Station, officers advised them to file it in Cox’s Bazar instead. Zakiganj police have already contacted their counterparts in Cox’s Bazar, and family members of the missing men are en route there.

Abdul Basit, brother of missing Rashid, said Rashid had been working under a contractor in Chattogram for a few years and used to travel back and forth from home. This was his first time going to Cox’s Bazar through that contractor. Since their arrival in Cox’s Bazar, all of their phones have been unreachable. However, Basit could not provide any details about the contractor's name or contact information.

He added, “We suspect the person who took them there might be involved. If they were kidnapped, someone would’ve contacted us for ransom.”

Safar Uddin, father of Khaled Hasan and a local union parishad (UP) member, said, “My son and the others usually work in Chattogram for 5–6 months at a stretch and come home only during Eid or religious events. Since he left on Tuesday, we haven’t heard from him. The entire family is in distress—Khaled’s mother hasn’t stopped crying.”

“I spent the whole night at the police station on Sunday,” he continued. “The contractor who took them, named Rashid, and another man named Babul, are also unreachable as their phones are switched off.”

Safar Uddin added that many people from their area work in and around Cox’s Bazar and are also helping search for the missing men. Despite their efforts, there has been no trace of any of them. He plans to travel to the area personally and seek help from local police.

Regarding the matter, Zakiganj Police Station OC  Zahirul Islam Munna confirmed the disappearance of the six workers. He said the families had contacted the police, and they were extending all possible assistance. Based on mobile tracking, the last known location of two of the men was in Teknaf. Families were advised to file a general diary at the relevant police station in Cox’s Bazar.

When contacted, Teknaf Model Police Station OC  Muhammad Giyas Uddin said he had heard about the incident, but as of 7:00 PM, no formal complaint had been lodged at the station.