11 Fishermen Kidnapped in the Sundarbans, Released for Tk70,000 Each
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Eleven fishermen have returned home after being held hostage in chains for seven consecutive days by bandits in the Sundarbans. They were released after a total ransom of Tk7 lakh was paid by their families and employers.
The released fishermen are Rubel Hawlader (30), Chhogir (32), Rakib (23), Lutfar Hawlader (30), Badal Hawlader (35), Sojib Hawlader (27), Hafizul (22), Alamgir Farazi (50), and Yasin Hawlader (23) from Uttar Rajapur village in Sharankhola Upazila; Rubel (25) from Patharghata; and Deb Chandra (25) from Batiaghata in Khulna.
The fishermen said that they were abducted by members of the Jahangir bandit gang on the night of May 3 while fishing in the Alorkol area of the East Sundarbans. They were subsequently held in an unknown location with chains fastened to their legs.
According to the fishermen, three days after the abduction, a gunfight broke out between the Jahangir gang and a rival group, the Sharif gang. At one point, the Sharif gang took control of the fishermen. They were then kept at another undisclosed location in the forest while ransom was demanded.
Victim Rubel Hawlader said, "Members of the Jahangir gang beat us mercilessly. Later, the Sharif gang took us from them. After receiving the ransom early Friday morning, they dropped us off at the confluence of the Dhansagar Aruabayar River in the Sundarbans and left."
An employer, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that the bandits initially demanded 1 lakh BDT per person. Following negotiations, the fishermen were released after a payment of 70,000 BDT each. He added that no one dares to speak out for fear of future danger.
Regarding the incident, Md. Shaminul Haque, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sharankhola Police Station, commented, "We have heard news of 11 fishermen returning after paying a ransom. However, no one has filed a written complaint yet. Legal action will be taken if a complaint is received."
