New pirate gangs active again in Sundarbans

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Ahsanul Amin George, Khulna :
Some new pirate gangs have become active again and they are committing dacoities again in the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove of the world. Recently the members of elite force Rapid Action Battallion (RAB-6) arrested two forest robbers along with arms from Koyra Upazila area of Khulna district.
Besides, two forest robbers were arrested by the members of Coastguard from the Sundarbans. During that period two abducted fishermen were also rescued by the members of Coastguard.
The new pirate gangs have been committing their activities fiercely in the Sundarbans.
Apart from this, On May 6, 2019) three pirates were killed in a gun-battle between members of Elite Force Rapid Action Battallion (RAB-6) and a pirate gang called Rana Bahini, according to a Press Release sent by Khulna Headquarters of RAB-6 , located at Labonchara area in the city.
The deceased were identified as Panna Sheikh alias Rana, 28, son of late Lutfar Sheikh, hailing from village Gabgachhia in Daibogyahati upazila of Bagerhat district,Zulhash Sheikh, 32, son of Habibur Rahman of village Boloibunia and Kamruzzaman, son of late abdul Mozid Sheikh of the same village in the same upazila of Bagerhat district. Huge arms and ammunitions were also recovered from the scene, the press release says.
I is also stated in that Press Release that a team of the special company of RAB-6 launched a drive in the Khonta Kodailya canal near Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans on May 6 in the early morning. Sensing the presence of Rab members , some of the forest robber gang called Rana Bahini tried to flee from the scene and opened fire targeting Rab members , Rab also retaliated and a gunfight occurred betwwen them. After 25 minutes gun-battle, Rab men found the three persons lying in the jungle who were taken to the local healthe complex while doctor on duty delared them dead.
It is further stated in the Press rewlease that after the recent cyclone Foni, fishermen started for fishing in the Sundarbans but some new pirate gangs have created disturbances them and after informing this, the team of a special company of Rab -6 was compelled to conduct operation in the area , adjacent to he Sundarbans.
New pirate gangs are active at different places of the Sundarbans. In the last 12 days difference, at least 7 pirates were killed in “gunfight” with the members of law enforcing agencies including Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Coastguard. The people, dependant on the Sundarbans are now in great anxiety for the roaming of the pirates.
On November 1, 2018, through a video conference, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the Sudarbans as “Pirates free”. Millions of people watched the video conference at Sheikh Helaluddin Stadium of Bagerhat district. Besides, pirates surrendering before the Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and RAB’s DG Benazir Ahmed started in 2016 which had ended on October 31, 2018. Thereafter on November 1, 2018, the Sundarbans was declared as “Pirates free” . As a result since November 1, 2018, forest dependant people including fishermen, bawalis, mowals and goalpata collectors had been conducting their works without any fear of robbers. But since the month of February, 2019, some new pirate gangs started their evil deed in the Sundarbans. Victimization and abduction were started afresh. The people, dependable upon the Sundarbans became afraid of pirates again.
Meanwhile, in the last 12 days at least 7 pirates were killed in gunfight with the members of RAB and Coastguard. Firearms and ammunitions were also recovered from the scene.
On February 18, 2019, a forest robber who was the member of Asabur Bahini was killed in a gun-battle occurred with the members of coastguard in Dakop area of the west division of the Sundarbans and arms were recovered from the scene. On the same day another forest robber named Kamrul Islam Morol was arrested by the members of RAB along with arms.
Sources of Rab-8 said, in the early hours of February 25, 2019, four pirates were killed in a gunfight with the members of Rab at Zongra canal of Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans. The said four pirates were – Alim alias Arif, 25, son of Abdul Awal, Raju, 25, son of Afzal Howladar and Sohel ,30 and Rubel, 25, sons of Altaf Howladar.
On the last day of February, 2019, two pirates were killed in a gunfight with the members of Rab-6 at Kalagachhi area in Satkhira Range of the Sundarbans. The deceased were identified as Saheb Ali, 35, son of Abdur Rahman Gazi of Shyamnagor upazila and Habibur Rahman, 28, son of Khokon Dhali of Ashashuni upazila area of Satkhira district.
Lt. Commander of Rab-6 Md. Zahidul Kabir had ascertained this matter to the journalists at that period.
The Sundarbans, the largest contiguous patch of Mangrove Forest in the world, constitutes 51 percent of the total reserved Forest estate and is also the richest natural resources of Bangladesh.
Population growth and economic development have brought immense pressure on mangrove wealth and its system for firewood, timber, fishes, honey and thatching materials. About 6 lakh people directly or indirectly depended on the resources of Sundarbans in a network of numerous Sundary and big streams and creeks in the adverse bioclimatic of mangrove forests infested with fierce wild animals-tiger in land and crocodile in water struggling for Survival.
It is found in the joymonirghole area that women are rearing poultry with the aid of the seals project the male persons, of course are still engaged in fishing.
Sundarbans has considerably high floral diversity and about 334 plant Species in total. Among them Sundari, Keora, Bean, Passur, Kankra, Goran, Golpata, Singra, Bhola, Hental, Khulshi and Gewa are most Common.
There are more than 375 wild life species in SRF which include 35 reptiles, 315 birds and 42 mammals. The major wildlife in Sundarbans are the Royal Bengal Tiger, Spotted deer, Wild Boan, Monkey, Estuarine crocodile, python, Turtle, Dolphin, Otter, Jungle, Cast, Fishing cat and a Variety of bird species.
Sundarbans has considerably high floral diversity and about 334 plant Species in total. Among them Sundari, Keora, Bean, Passur, Kankra, Goran, Golpata, Singra, Bhola, Hental, Khulshi and Gewa are most Common.
It may be mentioned in this connection that the UNESCO World Heritage committee declared Sundarbans as its 798th heritage site on the 6th December 1997 under the categories (ii) and (iv) of the convention.
The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ceremonially unveiled the world Heritage plaque on February 4, 1999 which includes three wild life Sanctuary with an area of 1,39,700 hectare.
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