Bangladesh, July 21 -- Six young men from Manoharganj upazila in Cumilla have allegedly been held hostage by human traffickers in Libya while attempting to reach Italy through irregular migration routes.

The traffickers are demanding a total ransom of Tk 15 million (Tk 1.5 crore) from their families for their release.

Family members allege that the victims are being subjected to inhumane torture after they failed to pay the demanded ransom.

They have filed a complaint with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking government intervention to secure the release of their sons.

The victims have been identified as Shahadat Hossain (20), son of Anwar Hossain; Manikul Islam (20), son of Mahbubur Rahman; Md. Sohel (27), son of Harun Rashid; T...