Desk Report: As many as 274 pirates of 26 gangs have surrendered to the law enforcement in the last two years, choosing to make a return to normal life.
Over hundred have been killed in [gunfights[ while around 500 have been put behind the bars.
Yet, the situation has hardly improved, with new gangs joining the old ones in terrorising the Sundarbans, reports Prothom Alo.
Over 50 fishermen were abducted by these gangs in the last three months and locals say the terror cannot be contained if the masterminds are not brought to book. Some pirates are taking the advantage of the ‘surrender scheme’, planning to make some money by being a pirate and then returning to normal life by surrendering to the law enforcement. Forests department sources say the prirates cause problems all the year round as October to February is the season for shutki (dried fish), April to September is the time for hilsa, honey and wax while the other parts of the year mangrove palm collectors remain busy to make their ends meet.
The pirates are merciless; they throw fishermen and other people dependant on the forest if the ransom is not paid. Locals say they mostly meet the pirates’ demands without letting anyone know, to avert further problems. Previously 25-30 gangs were active in the Sundarbans. In the last two years, RAB-8 and RAB-6 gave them the chance to return to normal life.
The official initiatives resulted in the surrender of 274 pirates of 26 gangs with huge firearms and ammunitions.
However, a few new gangs are now being created while the older ones getting more ferocious.
Abul Hossain, president of a local platform of the fishermen, said to Prothom Alo, “The number of abduction has gone down since a good number of gangs had surrendered. However, it has not stopped. The law enforcement, especially RAB-8, and Jamuna TV’s special correspondent Mohsin Ul Hakim played a significant role to this end. But the patronisers who supply them arms or provide them with money, should be brought to book, at any cost.”
“It will be better if RAB and the Coast Guard work together,” he added.
Major Khan Sajibul Islam, deputy commander of RAB-8, said, “We hope to bring the masterminds to book soon and free the Sundarbans and the coast from pirates.”