6 abducted fishermen freed after paying ransom

Six fishermen, abducted by a gang of robbers from Narikelbaria area on the Bay under Pathorghata upazila on June 3, were released on Tuesday after paying Tk 10 lakh as ransom.

They are Solaiman Majhi, 35, Ibrahim Mia, 40, Khalilur Rahman, 36, Lokman Mia, 32, Anis Mia, 35 and Zakir Hossain, 38. They hail from different villages under Pathorghata upazila, said Md Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of Barguna district fishing trawler owners' association.

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The robbers freed the fishermen at a place in Bagerhat upazila, he added.

Members of infamous 'Jahangir Bahini' of the Sudarbans abducted them while they were catching fish in the Bay. They were tortured both mentally and physically, said Golam Mostafa, quoting the freed fishermen.

The gang had earlier demanded Tk 20 lakh ransom for release of the fishermen. They later freed them on payment of Tk 10 lakh, said a source.