Four fishermen have been kidnapped by forest bandits while catching crabs in the saline waters of the Sundarbans. The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of Tk 50,000 per person for their release. The incident took place on Friday evening (20 November) in a canal of the Atarabeki area under the Satkhira range of the Sundarbans. Allegations suggest that members of the notorious Alim Bahini gang are behind the abduction.
According to local sources, all four fishermen had entered the Sundarbans legally with valid permits. Yusuf Gazi, a resident of Barabhetkhali village in Shyamnagar upazila, said he obtained permission from the Kaikhali station on 20 November and entered the forest with Ibrahim Sheikh and Anis Sheikh from Morgang village on his boat. Separately, Hasan Sheikh from Morgang and Abdul Gazi from Barabhetkhali also entered the forest with valid passes.
On Friday evening, while they were catching crabs in the Atarabeki Bhajo canal, bandits intercepted three boats and forcibly took four fishermen with them. The gang later contacted the families, demanding Tk 50,000 for each captive in exchange for their release.
Early on Sunday morning, after the ransom money was paid, the bandits released Hasan Sheikh, placing him on a boat. He returned home around 9:00 am. However, the remaining three fishermen are still being held captive, according to their families, who are anxiously awaiting their safe return.
Former Munshiganj Union Parishad chairman of Shyamnagar, Kasem Morel, said that bandit activities in the Sundarbans have risen again. He added that several fishermen from Bhetkhali and Morgang villages have recently been abducted from the Atarabeki area, creating fear among fishing communities.
Satkhira Range Officer of the Sundarbans, Hak, stated that fishermen or their families often do not inform the forest department immediately. In many cases, ransoms are paid privately, and authorities learn of the incidents later. He noted that conducting rapid operations in the remote forest terrain is challenging, but a smart patrol team and two special task groups are currently deployed. He assured that if specific information is received, all possible efforts will be made to rescue the remaining abducted fishermen.
GLIVE/TSN