First secretary of Danish embassy, Christian Krone Jørgensen, has also been staying in Bandarban for the last five days.

Sumon was abducted seven days back and security forces are still conducting search operations to rescue him as well as to capture his abductors.

Meanwhile, joint forces yesterday arrested two more indigenous people that included a local journalist, Ma Maw Pru, on suspicion of having links with the abduction. Over 20 people have been arrested so far after the kidnapping. The other arrestee is Aung Sa Thui Karbari.

As the security forces continue to interrogate the arrestees, one of the arrestees had confirmed that Sumon is still alive and in good health, a source in the security forces said.

The source also said that at one time the security forces came very close to the abductors, but failed to capture the criminals as they cleverly took an unanticipated detour.

Troops in hundreds have been dropped off helicopters at Madak, Yangrai and different points near the border to make sure that the abductors cannot cross the border and flee to Myanmar.

Brig Gen Ziaul Hasan, commander of the army's Bandarban region, yesterday inspected the rugged terrain of the bordering areas in a military helicopter. Superintendent of Police Mohammad Abdul Kader also visited different police camps at Thanchhi.