Pirates kidnap 100 fishermen, loot 95 trawlers in 2 weeks
Pirates kidnapped around 100 fishermen along with 11 fishing trawlers, plundered cash, fishes, fishing nets and other valuable items following attack on 95 fishing trawlers in the waters off Bagerhat coasts in the last couple of weeks.
They mercilessly beat up and injured 35 fishermen during raids on the trawlers. Victims and other fishermen estimated that goods worth Tk 1 crore were looted from the 95 fishing trawlers.
Fishermen who managed to escape from captivity said, three gangs of pirates coming by motorised boats attacked 95 trawlers from Sept 10-23 when the fishermen were fishing in different areas of the Bay off Sundarbans coast near Passur estuary, Vedakhali Canal and Fareway buoy areas of Shoronkhola and Mongla upazilas.
After looting the trawlers, the pirates demanded heavy amounts as ransom from the families of abductees and threatened to kill the captives if their demands were not met soon.
The incidents have frightened the fishermen and their families across the villages in the two coastal upazilas. Panicked fishermen have almost stopped going to catch fish in deep sea in fear of fresh raids.
The kidnapped fishermen hail from Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Borguna, Bhola and Patuakhali districts.
``Due to recurring raids by pirates the fishermen now avoid fishing in deep sea and prefer to stay near the coasts,`` said a fisherman in Shoronkhola. ``We urge the government to take steps to ensure our security,`` he demanded.
A fish trader who returned from Dublarchar a couple of days ago, said that the fishermen had been catching fish in Vedkhali Canal, Passur estuary and Fareway buoys.
Three pirates` gangs of Raju Bahini, Al Amin Bahini and Gama Bahini, each having 25/30 members, swooped on the 95 trawlers and committed robbery, he added.
They beat up and injured 35 fishermen, looted fishing nets worth Tk 50 lakh and fishes and other valuable items worth Tk 50 lakh.
Before decamping with the booties the pirates said they would set free the 100 abductees only in return for Tk 50,000 per captive, he said.
Lieutenant Md Hasanuzzaman, Staff Officer (Operation) of Coast Guard Mongla west zone told UNB that a joint drive has been launched to rescue the abducted fishermen.
Coast Guard Mongla west zone, naval force and officials of east Sundarbans forest division, comprising 120 men are conducting the joint drive, he said.
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