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Wednesday | November 11, 2026 | Dhaka
Elimination of bandits

Fishermen stage boat rally in Sundarbans

 Ahsanul Amin George, Khulna
 Published: 12:01 AM, 11 November 2026  Updated: 11:37 PM, 10 November 2026

Fishing and the collection of forest resources in the Sundarbans were brought to the brink of suspension as fishermen and forest-dependent communities face threats and abductions by forest bandits.

With their livelihoods disrupted, many families are now struggling with food shortages.

Against this backdrop, fishermen and forest workers staged a boat-based human chain and protest rally on the Kholpetua River in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district on Monday, demanding the immediate elimination of forest bandits and guarantees of safe access to the Sundarbans.

The programme began at 11:00am on Monday with fishermen and forest workers from different areas joining the protest in boats and other watercraft. Local political leaders and representatives of civil society also expressed solidarity with their demands.

The rally was chaired by Salauddin Liton, chief coordinator of the Forest Bandit Elimination Committee. Speakers included Shyamnagar Upazila BNP Convener Md Solaiman Kabir, Jubo Dal Convener Shafiqul Islam Dulu, Nuruzzaman, Khairul Islam Milon and other local leaders.

Addressing the rally, fisherman Bablur Rahman alleged that despite repeated protests against forest bandits, no effective action had been taken.

Instead, he said, the bandits were threatening fishermen after seeing photographs and reports of their demonstrations and warning them against entering the Sundarbans.

Another fisherman, Sabur Ali, said fear of the bandits had forced them to stay away from the forest. Despite repeatedly informing the administration, no effective measures had been taken, leaving their families in severe hardship.

Upazila BNP Convener Solaiman Kabir said he would meet the Minister for Forests and Environment to highlight the plight of fishermen and demand urgent action to eliminate the bandits. He also called for immediate intervention by the administration.

Shahinur Rahman, Assistant Range Officer in Satkhira, said the Forest Department shared the concerns of fishermen and forest workers.

He said the department was prepared to launch operations against the bandits if provided with specific information. Joint operations would also be undertaken in coordination with the relevant law enforcement agencies, he added.

The rally concluded with demands for the immediate elimination of forest bandits, security for fishermen and forest-dependent communities, and an environment in which they can enter and work in the Sundarbans without fear.