Ahsanul Amin George, Khulna.:
At least 10 fishermen were abducted from Dhanghara Canal area of Kalagachhia River in Satkhira Range of the Sundarbans on Monday.
One of the fishermen who managed to escape from the spot said, on Monday morning, some fishermen went for fishing in Dhanghara canal of the river Kalagachhia in Satkhira Range of the Sundarbans. All on a sudden, a forest robber gang named “Jonab Bahini” swooped on them, beat them ruthlessly and abducted at least 10 fishermen on demand o ransom.
The fishermen who managed to flee from the spot of abduction told the matter to the journalists on Monday evening.
The abducted persons are- Abdul Karim, son of Abdus Gafur, Tonmoy Mollick, son of Goyeswar Mollick, Imrul Gazi, son of Afsar Gazi, Selim Gazi, son of Foni Gazi, Dalim Gazi, son of Halim Gazi, Monirul Islam, son of late Noor Ali Gazi, Abdus Samad Gazi, son of Abdul Khalek Gazi, Abdur Rahman, son of Surat Ali, Mujibar Gazi, son of Sakat Gazi and Rahman Gazi, son of Zindar Gazi. Firoj Ahmed, Ex- UP member of Gabura Union, quoting the family members of the abducted fishermen, ascertained the matter of abduction to the journalists.Belal Hossain, Burigoalini Forest station Officer said, We have heard the news of fishermen abduction. However, nobody has given allegation in this regard, he added.
It is mention in this connection that on September 20 & 21, 2017, at least 25 fishermen were abducted by two forest robber gangs in two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) from two different places of the East Sundarbans. Members of Coast Guard had conducted operation for rescuing the abducted fishermen during that period. Some fishermen who managed to escape from the spot said, on Tuesday dawn some fishermen went for fishing at Nolbunia Horintana area in Swaronkhola upazila. All on sudden, a forest robber gang named Baro Bhai Bahini swooped on them, beat them mercilessly, looted taka and rice and abducted at least 20 fishermen on demand of ransom. Residents of the abducted fishermen are at Rosulpur village in the Upazila, said a fishermen. However, the injured fishermen took treatment from Upazila Health Complex.
On the other hand, on Wednesday morning, some fishermen went for fishing at Tambulbunia area in Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans. Suddenly, another forest robber gang named Sumon Bahini attacked the fishermen, demanded extortion and abducted 5 fishermen. Residents of the abducted fishermen are at Sonatala village of the Upazila. said a fish trader.
Lt. Abdullah Al Mahmud Hossain, Operation officer of Mongla West Zone Coastguard said, after hearing the news of the abduction of the fishermen, two teams of the Coastguard already started operations with a view to rescue the abducted fishermen. It is also mentionable in this connection that earlier, from August11 to 15 ( In 5 days) at least 30 fishermen were abducted by an unidentified forest robber gang from the same area while only four fishermen could be rescued.
Besides, at least 10 fishermen were abducted from the west Sundarbans on August 7,2017 (Monday) in Swarankhola upazila area of Bagerhat district by an unidentified armed forest robber on demand of ransom. The pirate gang also gave a cell phone number to other fishermen and asked to meet up their demanded ransom, otherwise they would be killed, the bandits threatened. For this reason the people who are dependable upon the Sundarbans, are in great anxieties and fear of death, sources said.
Some returned fishermen and victimized persons said, some fishermen went for fishing at dead night on Sunday at Horintana and Kalamula rivers in the west Sundarbans. They were busy in fishing. All on a sudden, an unidentified forest robber gang along with sharp weapons swooped on them and beat them mercilessly. Thereafter, on demand of ransom, the pirate gang abducted 10 fishermen from 10 boats.
Names of seven abducted persons were learnt. They are- Ali Hossain Munshi, son of Shajahan Munshi, hailed from village Sonatala in Swarankhola upazila, Lal Mia Gazi, son of Somed Gazi of village North Rajapur, Ziarul Molla, son of Ishaq Molla of village Panirghat, Shahidul Islam, son of Nanna Matubbar of Sonatala, Delwar Hossain, son of Jalal Molla of village Khuriakhali and Masud Mia, son of Mosharaf Hossain of village Tafalbari in the same upazila.
During that period Lt. Commander Md. Fariduzzaman, operation commander of Coastguard’s Mongla Zone had said that operation by the members of the coastguard was started from Monday morning after being informed the matter of abduction of the fishermen and efforts for rescuing the abducted fishermen have been going on, he added. Besides, five special teams of coastguard are still conducting operations inn the Sundarbans area, Lt. Fariduzzaman further said.
It is mentionable in this connection that ten fishermen were again abducted by forest robbers from the Sundarbans by a forest robber gang named Robiul Bahini from the river Mathabhanga, goalkhali area in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district.
During that period, three person’s identification was learnt and the three others acquaintance could not be ascertained still.
Those who were abducted at that time are-Abdus Salam Sardar,35, son of late Abdul Sardar, Ramjan Ali, 40, son of late Azimuddin, resident of village Parshekhali in Shyamnagar upazila and Niranjan Mondol of village Keoratala in the same upazila.
One of the fishermen who managed to escape from the spot told this correspondent that the fishermen went to Goalkhali area with a view to fishing on Wednesday morning. All on a sudden, a forest gang named “Robiul Bahini” attacked on them and abducted at least five fishermen.
However, due to repeated abduction of fishermen by the different pirate gangs who are still active in the Sundarbans, the forest-depended persons are in fear and they can not go to fishing to maintain their families.
