Six Fishermen Freed After Employer Pays Ransom
Collected Photo
Despite the ongoing ‘Operation Mangrove Shield’ aimed at curbing piracy in the Sundarbans, the activities of forest pirates have not subsided. Fishermen and honey collectors continue to live under extreme insecurity due to extortion and abduction incidents. Amid this situation, six fishermen abducted from Sarankhola in Bagerhat have returned home after 13 days.
They returned to their respective homes on Saturday morning. Members of the Karim Sharif and Nanabhai gangs of pirates abducted them on April 20 while they were fishing in the Kokilmoni and Chatra areas under the Sarankhola Range of the eastern Sundarbans.
Nazwa Begum, wife of abducted fisherman Kalam Forazi, said that her husband and five others were held hostage. After 13 days, they were released once the broker paid the ransom money.
The returning fishermen are Anwar Boyati, Kibrul, Mohsin, and A. Salam. The identity of another victim could not be confirmed.
A fisheries trader from Sarankhola Bazar and employer of the abducted fishermen said the pirates demanded ransom through bKash after the abduction. He said more than 100,000 taka was paid before the fishermen were released. He added that silent extortion is currently taking place in the Sundarbans. Fishermen and honey collectors do not dare speak out due to fear. He also said that the returning fishermen reported that seven to eight more fishermen and honey collectors are still being held hostage by pirates.
Eastern Sundarbans Sarankhola Station Officer (SO) Md. Khalilur Rahman said that although Coast Guard operations against pirates are ongoing, their impact is not visible in the Sarankhola area. He stated that fishermen or honey collectors cannot enter the forest without paying extortion. Those who refuse are abducted and tortured until ransom is collected. He added that professionals are at extreme risk and called for intensified operations.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard West Zone said ‘Operation Mangrove Shield’ is ongoing. It is attempting to identify pirate locations through intelligence activities and, once confirmed, conducts operations in various areas to arrest pirates and recover weapons.
Sarankhola Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shaminul Haque said he was not aware of the fishermen returning after paying ransom. He also said no complaint had been filed at the police station regarding the incident. He added that legal action will be taken if a complaint is received.
