A large number of fishermen, wood-cutters, mawalies and extractors of forest resources, are hostage in the hands of organised armed terrorists in the Bay of Bengal adjacent to the Sundarban during the peak Hilsa season. The pirates have gone out of control now as they use sophisticated arms for committing heinous crimes while the forest guards have nothing to match such modern arms, reliable sources said. These armed hoodlums poach deer and tigers which they send out from the forest to their people. They are not only committing kidnappings at arms point for ransom but also looting fishing trawlers, fishes, money and personal belongings to fishermen. There are instances of killing fishermen for failing to pay ransom by throwing them into the sea with their eyes, legs and hands tied up. As a result, about 15,000 families of fishermen of coastal belts are feeling quite insecure as they cannot go on with their professional works safe and sound.
Quite a few trawler and boat owners have already collected ‘token’ from the pirates to ensure safety for their men and goods, sources said. These pirates have killed a number of fishermen and injured scores of others in the forest recently. Consequently, panic has gripped the region where people mainly rely on the forest resources to make a living.
On Saturday early morning armed robbers ‘Shirsho Bahini’ kidnapped at least 40 fishermen from five fishing trawlers for ransom in Narkelbaria area adjacent to east Sundarban, near the Bay of Bengal. None of the kidnapped fishermen could be rescued till today, fishermen group leader Md Abul Hossain.
Earlier, on Thursday (Aug 15) another gang belonging to ‘Jahangir Bahini’ of the Sundarban abducted at least 50 fishermen from number one Boya in the Bay for ransom. The robbers looted fishing nets, fish and other goods worth about Tk 1.5 crore from the trawlers.
According to fishermen, Sundarban is now controlled by at least 10 to 15 big gangs of bandits who daily kill deer for their meals and also send venison to influential people in the city through fishermen. Sources said around 300 pirates are active in the coastal areas along the Sundarban. The pirates often keep the abducted fishermen at their camps in the Sundarban, said a fisherman.
Fishermen Amirul Islam, Khaleque and Ruhul Amin, who were released from captivity that pirates had confined them in their hideouts in the deep forest, said the robbers already equipped with most modern arms and fast moving watercrafts are committing crimes at Hiron Point, Mandarbaria, Harbaria, Narkelbaria, Dublarchar, Alorkol, Nishanbaria, Nilkomol, Mohipur and Raimangal near the Bay of Bengal during peak season for fishing.
Most of the pirates and bandits of these groups hail from different places of Bagerhat, Barguna, Satkhira and Pirojpur districts and have built up fabulous wealth and property. Many of them have their own buildings in Khulna city and Dhaka where they use to stay freely under political influence.
The Sundarban is spread over 6,017 squire kilometers of which, 4,143 Sq km comprises of land whereas 1,874 Sq km of water. The forest is the sanctuary for 425 species of trees, herbs, creepers and 246 species of wild animals such as spotted deer, estuarine crocodile, the famous Royal Bengal Tiger and many others.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarban west division Zahir Uddin Ahmed said development of infrastructure and communications is inevitable for protecting the forest while quick movement of law enforcers and forest guards are a must to control the crimes.
Zahir Hossain Khandker, Conservator of Forest (CF), Khulna circle said, “Our main goal is to ensure security of wildlife, fishermen and bawalis who are sources of huge revenues. Therefore, forest guards across the Sundarban would be trained and given better firearms and speedy river vessels very soon”.
Lieutenant Commander (operation) Md Mahiuddin of Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) west zone said they had already launched a drive in Batulia canal under Koyra upazila on Saturday and rescued four fishermen from the clutches of bandits. “The coastguard ship is patrolling this area round the clock to check piracy and abduction and ensure safety of the poor fishermen,” he added.
-With The Independent input
