Bandits kidnap 10 fishermen for ransom in Sundarbans

Ten fishermen have reportedly been abducted by bandits while fishing in the Satkhira Range of the western Sundarbans. Their families and fishermen who managed to return have alleged that the abductors are demanding ransom for their release.

The fishermen were taken from the Notabeki, Agunjwala, Jaldhaka, Chaltebere and Raimangal River areas between Friday evening and Sunday evening.

Relatives of the abducted fishermen alleged that members of two bandit gangs, allegedly led by Amir Ali of Gabura Union and Alam Sana of Dattinakhali village in Shyamnagar upazila, were involved in the abductions.

The abducted fishermen have been identified as Rubel, Imran and Khorshed of Dumuria village; Nuruzzaman of Chhotobhetkhali; Siddiq Gazi and Jahur Ali of Kalinchi; Surat Ali of Singhortali; and Momin Mollah, Didarul and Imran of Koyra upazila.

Several fishermen who returned from the forest, speaking on condition of anonymity, said three fishermen had been aboard each boat. The bandits took one person from each boat.

They said a ransom of Tk 100,000 per person had been demanded for the release of nine fishermen, including Nuruzzaman, Didarul and Imran. A comparatively smaller ransom has reportedly been sought for Surat Ali, who was alone in the forest with his boat, although the amount remains unknown.

Shahinur Islam, assistant conservator of forests for the Satkhira Range, said the forest department had learned about the abductions from fishermen. Patrol teams were conducting operations inside the Sundarbans to locate the abductors.

However, he said it was difficult for the forest department to conduct operations against bandits across the vast forest area on its own.

Shyamnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Safiul Islam said families of fishermen held hostage by bandits often negotiate with the abductors discreetly. As a result, fishermen who return after securing their release are often reluctant to share information with law enforcement agencies.

He said police were trying to identify the owner of the mobile phone number used to collect ransom money and trace those involved in the abductions.

The families of the missing fishermen are in distress and have appealed for their immediate rescue.