Sundarbans pirate Raju wants to surrender with gang
Most wanted pirate of the Sundarbans Raju Molla,40, wants to return to normal life along with his cadres laying down arms and ammunition.
He has made a written appeal in this regard to the government through Mongla UNO Dr Mizanur Rahman.
Mizanur Rahman said he received the petition on Sunday which was sent to him by courier service. He forwarded it to the deputy commissioner of Bagerhat on the following day.
Son of Jalal Molla of Amrhatala village under Mongla upazila in Bagerhat district, Raju Molla maintains a group of over a hundred cadres having at least 35 most modern arms and huge ammunition. He also has four fast moving engine boats under his control, sources said.
According to police, Raju started committing different crimes in the Sundarbans and around its coastal belts since 1995 along with his cadres. He is wanted in several criminal cases such as murders, extortions, robberies and kidnappings for ransom, filed with different police stations of Bagerhat district, police further said.
The notorious pirate said in his petition that he would surrender with all his cadres, arms and ammunition if government grants him amnesty.
"I will surrender on the very day of granting me amnesty," Raju was quoted as saying in his petition.
Meanwhile, chairman of Dublarchar Fishermen Community and a valiant freedom fighter Major (retd) Ziauddin also said that Raju Molla, ringleader of notorious Raju Bahini had wanted to surrender to the government laying down his arms and ammunition.
Ziauddin, who was sub-sector commander of the 9th sector in the Sundarbans region during liberation war in 1971, is now convenor of a newly formed platform, 'Sundarban Bachao Karmashuchi.' The platform was aimed at helping government root out crimes in the mangrove forest and campaign for making the world heritage site one of seven natural wonders at the final race on November 11 this year, sources said.
The retired Major told this correspondent on Tuesday that a section of dishonest forest officers and members of different law enforcing agencies are virtually helping the criminals in the forest and coastal belts. They are doing this just for their personal gain, he said.
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