Six fishermen were abducted by armed forest pirates from a dry fish processing camp inside the Sundarbans on Friday night.
The abducted fishermen were identified as Khairul Islam, 35, Faruk Hossain, 28, Shamsul Islam, 25, Safrul Islam, 32, Maruf Hossain, 28 and Milon, 30. They hail from different areas of Khulna’s Koyra upazila and Bagerhat’s Rampal and Morrelganj upazilas.
According to the Bangladesh Forest Department, the incident took place at Shelarchar under the Sharankhola Range of the East Sundarbans. Members of the Karim Sharif pirate gang reportedly raided the fishermen’s settlement and a forest patrol outpost around 12:30 AM, taking the fishermen at gunpoint and fleeing with a fishing trawler.
Dubla Char dry fish production patrol outpost in-charge Milton Roy said the attackers took advantage of the near-deserted condition of the camp. Most fishermen and traders had left the area to cast votes in the 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12, leaving only a small number of guards behind.
Confirming the abduction, Sharankhola Range Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Md Shariful Islam said security patrols in the area have been strengthened and steps are being taken to rescue the abducted fishermen.
Bangladesh Coast Guard has been informed to assist in the rescue operation and efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the abducted fishermen, added the official.
MR/AM
