57 Sundarban robbers surrender with arms

KHULNA, May 24: A total of 57 members of six forest robber gangs surrendered to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at Labonchora here on Wednesday.
"Members of Dada Bhai Bahini, Hannan Bahini, Amir Ali Bahini, Surjo Bahini and Munna Bahini deposited their 58 firearms and 1,284 bullets at the RAB-6 office," said Khulna RAB-6 Commanding Officer Khandakar Rafiqul Islam.
Earlier, the surrendered forest robbers were provided with a cheque of Tk 1 lakh each by the Minister.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayan Chandra Chanda attended the event as special guest.
A total of 217 forest robbers of 20 gangs surrendered to the Home Minister in last 23 months.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in his speech said none will be allowed to commit robbery in the Sundarban.
"The government will rehabilitate the robbers who want to surrender and return to normal life," he said at the surrender and donation distribution programme for rehabilitation of forest robbers.
The Sundarban will be declared a robber-free mangrove forest soon, the Minister added.
Newly elected KCC Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khaleque among others attended the programme.