Fifteen members of the robbers’ gang, Alif Bahini, in the Sundarbans have surrendered to the Special Response Battalion (SRB).
The move is aimed at improving security in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, SRB-6 said.
The surrender ceremony was held at the SRB-6 headquarters on Friday following surveillance and operations by law enforcement agencies.
According to sources, the robbers have long targeted fishermen, woodcutters and honey collectors who depend on the Sundarbans for their livelihoods. They have held them hostage and demanded ransom.
Concerns have grown recently following reports of the activities of new gangs and revelations that several robbers who had surrendered earlier had returned to crime.
In response, SRB-6 has stepped up operations to strengthen security in the forest.
After surrendering, the gang members pledged to abandon crime and return to normal life.
The SRB-6 Media Cell said the surrender of the 15 Alif Bahini members would help maintain stability in the Sundarbans and protect communities that depend on the forest.
Officials said SRB-6 would continue its drives until the Sundarbans is completely free of robbers. They added that the necessary legal procedures would be completed under existing laws before the surrendered individuals are produced before the court.
