UNB, Khulna :
Three suspected robbers have been killed in a reported gunfight with members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in different parts of Sundarbans.
The drive was conducted between the night of June 25 till early morning on June 28 at Mamdo River, Malancha River, Khoprakhali River and Firingi river under Satkhira range of Sundarbans.
Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun came up with the information at a press briefing at Rab-6 office on Sunday noon.Two of the deceased were identified as Shariful Islam, 24, son of Lutfur, Habibur Rahman, 24, son of Jamat Ali of Satkhira district while the identity of another one could not be known immediately.
Additional Director General of Rab (opt) Colonel Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar and commanding officer of Rab-6 Rawshunul Firoz were present at the briefing.
The Rab DG said: “No one will be spared and if anyone tries to be involved in the robbery, he will face the same consequences.” During the drive, two robbers have been arrested while two fishermen were rescued, he said. Five firearms, 33 bullets, local made weapons and trawlers were seized.
Last year, in December, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal warned that anybody attempting to commit robbery in the Sundarbans will be punished and that the government will do everything to keep the mangrove forest safe.
Bangladesh took a hard stance on pirates active in the world’s largest mangrove forest. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on November 1, 2018 declared the Sundarbans free of criminal gangs after the last remaining pirate gangs laid down arms.
A taskforce was established in 2012 with Rab, police, Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Forest Department. The Rab Director General was the chief coordinator of the taskforce.
Thirty-two former chiefs of criminal gangs and 328 members surrendered between May 31, 2016 and November 1, 2018. They have been reintegrated into the society.
