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Eight years after being declared ‘bandit-free,’ Sundarbans still home to 11 gangs
Karim Sharif, Kajol Munna, Doyal, Chhattar, Mama-Bhagne/Sultan, Mithu, Bamba, Majid, Monju, Bhai-Bhai and Dadabhai gangs active
After a seven-month break, over 10,000 fishermen recently returned to Dublarchar in the Sundarbans to dry their catch, despite fears of kidnapping by armed gangs still operating in the forest, eight years after it was declared free of bandits.
The fishermen left the coastal areas on 29 and 30 October and will stay for five months. Khalilur Rahman, in-charge of Dubla Shutki Palli Police Outpost, said 1,008 makeshift shelters had already been approved for the fishermen.
Fishermen and traders said bandits were the main obstacle to their work. Sabuj Molla, a fisherman, said the gangs were the biggest fear in the forest this year.
“They can abduct fishermen at any time,” he said. “Those taken are beaten and have to be freed by paying a ransom, while others are held captive for long periods. If this continues, the dry fish business will be disrupted and the fishermen’s incomes will fall.”
Jakir Sheikh, a dry fish trader, said gangs had also been a problem last season. “Many fishermen and traders had to pay extortion money, so profits were poor,” he said.
“Several gangs have become active again this year, and I fear further losses if they are not brought under control,” he said. On 1 November 2018, the then government declared the Sundarbans free of bandits after 328 members of 32 gangs surrendered.
According to the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), information is currently available on 11 active gangs: Karim Sharif, Kajol Munna, Doyal, Chhattar, Mama-Bhagne/Sultan, Mithu, Bamba, Majid, Monju, Bhai-Bhai and Dadabhai. Initial reports suggest they have an estimated 100 or more members.
Lt Col Nistar Ahmed, commanding officer of Special Response Battalion-6 (SRB-6), told the Daily Sun that about 10 groups, including the Karim Sharif gang, remained active.
“Taking advantage of the Weakness of law and order, a number of gangs returned to their old crimes,” he said.
Two special operations – “Operation Restore Peace in the Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield” – began in March this year. The SRB, Coast Guard, River Police and forest guards are conducting them jointly.
Lt Col Nistar said 74 members of six gangs had surrendered to SRB-6 with their firearms in September and October, and that the battalion had recovered 73 firearms and 852 bullets during the drives.
“We will welcome other gang members if they surrender; otherwise, we will take tougher action against them,” he said.
BCG figures show that 51 members of the Chhoto Sumon, Boro Jahangir, Chhoto Jahangir, Nana Bhai and Mojnu gangs have surrendered to the Coast Guard this year, together with 48 local and foreign firearms, 581 live cartridges and 87 blank cartridges.
A further 41 bandits have been detained since 1 January. Security forces recovered from them 59 local and foreign firearms, 15 live shells, 359 live cartridges, 115 blank cartridges, 194 rounds of air-gun pellets and two walkie-talkies.
The BCG also rescued 52 fishermen, two tourists and a resort owner who were being held hostage, and returned them to their families.
Latest incident
In the most recent incident, the Dadabhai gang kidnapped five fishermen from the Arpangashiya River at Shyamnagar in Satkhira, said Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Suzan, the BCG’s media officer. The victims were Rabiul Islam, Billal Hossain, Alaul Islam, Nawshen Morol and Shahinur Rahman, from Satkhira and Khulna.
A BCG team rescued them in the early hours of 28 October after exchanging fire with the kidnappers. The team recovered a gun, six bullets and three sharp weapons, but the criminals fled.
Lt Cdr Sabbir said the two operations, conducted under the government’s direct guidance, aimed to eliminate all gangs and protect fishermen, bawalis (woodcutters), mawalis (honey collectors) and other forest workers.
When contacted, Rezaul Karim, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans East Forest Division, said the Forest Department would remain on alert to protect fishermen going to Dublarchar and to help meet the dried-fish collection target.
“Fishermen are generally abducted by the bandits at night, so the Coast Guard has been asked to step up its night patrols,” he said. “Alongside the increased Coast Guard patrols, the Forest Department will also stay vigilant to prevent bandit attacks.”