MAHESHKHALI, COX’S BAZAR: A trawler with 200 passengers on board departed for Malaysia from Maheshkhali Island the district on early Sunday.

A concerned source confirmed it to banglanews.

Locals said a strong syndicate of human trafficking is involved in this act.

They also said a trawler of local Sabur Bahaddar anchored at mid pod point of Sonadia-Ghatibhanga area adjecnt to Moheshkhali coast to carry the people to Malaysia.

People thronged there with small boats and waited for full tide to depart for Malaysia, they added.

The trawler was scheduled to leave earlier but postponed its journey due to a rough weather in sea.

On the other side, police nabbed 17 accused persons with a microbus who were allegedly coming from Norsingdi and Narayanganj to go to Malaysia.

Maheshkhali police station Officer-in-Charge Alamgir Hossain confirmed the matter to banglanews.

BDST: 1005 HRS, SEP 01, 2013
MR/ AIA/RS/BSK- eic@banglanews24.com