Robbers kidnapped eight fishermen from Harmal Canal in the eastern Sundarbans under Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat on Friday and demanded ransom for their release.
The abductions took place between morning and evening in different branches of the Chunkuri River under the western Sundarbans.
Victims’ associates alleged that members of the Nanna Bhai alias Don Bahini and Chhoto Jahangir Bahini carried out the abductions at gunpoint.
The abducted fishermen were identified as Nazrul Tarafdar, 45, son of Bari Tarafdar of Mirgang area in Munshiganj under Shyamnagar upazila, Abdur Rahman, 35, son of Amir Ali Gazi, Abdul Hamid Morol, 50, son of Chhabed Ali Morol of Chhoto Vetkhali, Abdul Alim Gazi, 40, son of Abdur Rahim Gazi of Bhorbhoria area under Atulia union, Habibur Rahman, 48, son of Ibrahim Gazi, Anowarul Islam, 42, son of Shamsur Rahman Gazi, and two residents of Koyra in Khulna — Abdus Sattar and Shahinur Rahman.
Several associates of the abducted fishermen, who reportedly escaped from the pirates’ custody, said the victims were abducted from the Subdeb Khal, Gubdeb Khal and Dhanyakhali Char areas of the Chunkuri River.
They alleged the pirates demanded ransom ranging from Tk20,000 to Tk40,000 for each abducted fisherman.
According to the victims’ associates, the pirates contacted relatives through a mobile phone number and asked for payment through mobile banking services.
Local fishing financiers alleged that the same number had previously been used to collect ransom money through bKash for the release of abducted fishermen and honey collectors from the Sundarbans.
They also alleged that forest pirates collected advance extortion money from honey collectors before the start of the honey collection season and allowed many of them to enter the forest only after payment.
Earlier on 4 and 5 May, armed pirates identifying themselves as members of the Alif alias Alim Bahini, Nanna Bhai and Don Bahini allegedly abducted 20 fishermen and honey collectors from different areas of the Sundarbans, including Goalbunia Dunear Mukh, Dhanyakhali Khal, Mathabhanga Khal of the Mamund River and Chalte Berer Khal of the Malancha River.
The victims were later released after nearly Tk7 lakh was paid in ransom, according to local sources. Sundarbans Satkhira Range Kadamtala Forest Station Officer Monirul Karim said authorities were looking into the allegations of abduction.
“Necessary measures will be taken if any complaint is received,” he said.
Shyamnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khaledur Rahman said no victim’s family had yet filed any complaint with police over the abductions.
“Legal action will be taken if a complaint is lodged,” he said.
