Robbers linked to the Alim and Nanabhai gangs abducted 22 fishermen from the Satkhira Range of the Sundarbans over two days, triggering panic among fishing communities along the forest border.
The fishermen were taken at gunpoint between Sunday morning and Monday evening while catching fish and crabs in areas including Chunkuri, the head of the Malancha River, Chaltebere, Maitbhanga and the Pashurtala canal, according to local sources.
The victims are residents of Munshiganj, Ramjannagar and Ishwaripur unions under Shyamnagar upazila.
Five fishermen were later released after being beaten and ordered to arrange ransom payments, while the remaining 17 are still being held hostage.
The abducted fishermen were identified as Momi Fakir, 30, Murshid Alam, 40, Ismail Sheikh, 28, Abdul Karim, 48, Abdus Samad, 40, Manohar Sarkar, 34, Al Mamun, 16, Humayun, 26, Monirul, 25, Rabiul, 30, Sanjay, 52, Al-Amin, 37, Shahjahan, 50, Abul Bashar Babu, 35, Rezaul, 35, Abdus Salam, 55, and Abul Kalam, 40.
The released fishermen were identified as Dhrubo Sarkar, 38, Hriday Mondal, 53, Sabur Gain, 50, Saiful Islam, 32, and Yunus Ali, 26.
Family members and released fishermen said the victims had entered the Sundarbans four to five days earlier after obtaining permits from the Kadamtala and Kaikhali stations under the Satkhira Range.
They alleged that 28 to 30 armed members of the Alim, also known as Alif, and Nanabhai gangs carried out the abductions from different canals under the Kadamtala station.
The incident has spread fear across Harinagar, Kadamtala, Moragang, Chunkuri and Mathurapur areas bordering the forest.
Released fishermen said some of the victims were abducted from locations only 10 to 12 minutes away by boat from Harinagar Bazar, raising concerns over the bold movement of pirate groups near populated areas.
Locals alleged that pirate gangs have been operating freely due to the perceived inactivity of law enforcement agencies in the region.
Satkhira Range Assistant Conservator of Forests Md Mashiur Rahman said the Forest Department had informed the Coast Guard about the abductions.
Shyamnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Khaledur Rahman said police had started investigating the matter after learning about it through informal channels, although no formal complaint had yet been filed by the families.
He said legal action would be taken once a complaint is received.
