11 fishermen kidnapped in Sundarbans for ransom

Bandit Jahangir Bahini has kidnapped 11 fishermen in the Sundarbans. The bandits have demanded a ransom of Tk 1 lakh for each fisherman. On the night of May 3, members of Jahangir Bahini kidnapped 11 fishermen from the Alorkol area of the eastern Sundarbans in Bagerhat district and kept them at an unknown location in the Sundarbans.

Md. Shaminul Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Sharankhola Police Station, said that he was not aware of the kidnapping of the 11 fishermen in the Sundarbans and that no one had lodged a complaint with the police station. The police officer added that legal action would be taken if any complaint was filed.

Kuddus Hawladar of Uttar Rajapur village in Sharankhola Upazila of Bagerhat district said on Wednesday afternoon (May 6) that his son, Rakib Hawladar (24), was kidnapped by the bandits on the night of May 3 while fishing in the Sundarbans.

Altap Hawladar of the same area said that his nephew, Chagir (32), was also kidnapped by the bandits in the Sundarbans.

A source, who did not wish to be named for the safety of the fishermen, said that 11 fishermen working for two moneylenders were kidnapped by Jahangir Bahini from the Alorkol area of the Sundarbans on the night of May 3, along with a fishing boat, and were being held at an unknown location in the Sundarbans.

The other kidnapped fishermen are Lutfor Hawladar (30), Badol Hawladar (35), Sajib Hawladar (27), Alamgir Farzi (50), Rubel Hawladar, Hafizul (22), and Yasin Hawladar (23) from Uttar Rajapur village under Sharankhola Upazila; Rubel (25) from the Padmasluis area under Patharghata Upazila in Barguna district; and Dev Chandra (25), who hails from Batiaghata Upazila in Khulna district. In addition, several more fishermen are reportedly being held by the bandits.

Currently, a silent ransom trade by the bandits is continuing in the Sundarbans, causing severe hardship for the fishermen.

The moneylenders said that no one dares to speak out for fear of facing further danger while fishing in the Sundarbans.

A fishermen-moneylender, who was unwilling to reveal his name, said that the bandits had demanded Tk 1 lakh over the phone for the release of each kidnapped fisherman.