Fishermen attacked by pirates while returning from sea
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Fishermen in Cox’s Bazar were unable to fish properly in the sea for two months due to bad weather. Recently, as the sea became somewhat calmer, they returned to fishing to make up for their losses. Although they found fish toward the end of the season, many are unable to return to shore safely. Pirates have allegedly carried out repeated attacks on fishing trawlers on their way back.
Fishermen and trawler owners claimed that at least 15 fishing trawlers were attacked in the coastal areas of Cox’s Bazar, Maheshkhali and Kutubdia over the past week. According to them, the attackers held the fishermen hostage and beat them before looting fish, nets, diesel, food and other supplies from the trawlers. Mobile phones, cash and important engine parts were also looted. At least 20 fishermen were injured in these incidents. Eight of them are undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital with serious injuries. Fishermen also claimed that 24 fishermen along with three trawlers remain missing.
Fishermen said most of them were returning to shore quickly before the 22-day fishing ban began. Pirates are taking advantage of the situation. They sometimes approach in small boats and sometimes in large trawlers before surrounding the fishing boats. They then hold the fishermen hostage at gunpoint and carry out the robbery.
Amir Hossain, general secretary of the Kalarma Chhara Fishermen Welfare Cooperative Society in Maheshkhali, said 10 to 12 trawlers left the Mohammad Shahghona ghat for the deep sea on September 28 and 29. After fishing for four to five days, six trawlers were attacked while returning. At least nine fishermen and one trawler owner were injured. Three of them have been admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Amir Hossain claimed that an armed group of 10 to 12 people attacked fishing trawlers in the 12 Bam area west of the Sonadia Channel from Friday to Tuesday. Fish worth Tk 700,000 to Tk 800,000 along with nets, cash and engine parts were looted from each trawler.
Fishing for hilsa will remain suspended across the country for 22 days from Thursday through October 29. During the ban, the movement of vessels at sea will decrease. The Coast Guard has said it will increase surveillance for this reason. The force has increased surveillance in Cox’s Bazar, Sonadia, Maheshkhali and Kutubdia. Alongside patrols at sea, information is being collected from fishermen about the locations and movements of pirates.
Lt. Commander Arafat Hossain, commander of the Cox’s Bazar Coast Guard Station, said intelligence activities and technology-based surveillance have been strengthened alongside regular patrols to combat robbers and pirates. Suspicious vessels and movements are being monitored using modern ships and speedboats as well as radar, GPS and advanced communication systems.
Delwar Hossain, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Fishing Boat Owners Association, believes that more than 8,000 vessels of various sizes regularly venture into the deep sea for livelihoods. Therefore, the situation cannot be controlled through temporary patrols alone. A permanent solution must be taken by identifying the pirates’ network, sources of weapons and possible hideouts. Otherwise, the lives of fishermen who venture into the sea during the fishing season will remain at risk.
Officer in Charge of Maheshkhali Police Station Mohammad Abdus Sultan said he had heard reports of piracy in the Sonadia area. However, no one has filed a complaint with the police regarding the 24 fishermen missing along with the trawlers. He said police are working on the matter.
