Robbers loot trawlers, abduct 50 fishermen in Bay
Robbers abducted at least 50 fishermen from 25 trawlers in the Bay when they were fishing near Fearboya area, about 50 km to the southwest of Kuakata early yesterday.
Earlier on October 13, six fishermen suffered bullet injuries as robbers attacked three trawlers in the same area.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. During yesterday's attack, the criminals fired around 25 rounds targeting the trawlers.
Three fishermen -- Bazlur Rahman, 35, Nayeem, 32, and Al-Amin 30 all of Kuakata area under Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali district went missing as they jumped into the Bay in fear of being bullet-hit.
Of the abducted fishermen Harun Majhee, 45, Forkan mia, 40, Swapan, 35, Mosharef Hossain, 38, Rafique Majhee, 42, Mozammel Hossain, 35, of Pathorghata area under Barguna district, and Md Reaz, 35, Kamal Hossain, 40, Mizanur Rahman, 35, Al-Amin, 32, Amir Hossain, 36 -- of different villages under Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali district have been identified, said Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of Barguna district trawler owners' association, and Ansar Uddin Mollah, president of Alipur fish traders' cooperative association.
The masked members of the gang comprising around 30 robbers came by a nameless trawler from the Sundarbans area, Ansar Uddin said, quoting the fishermen who reached Alipur fish landing station from the Bay after the incident.
The gang, identifying themselves as Master Bahini, looted fishes, fuel, and cash worth about Tk 10 lakh, said Golam Mostafa.
"The gang gave two cell phone numbers (01709747449 and 01709747445) to the fishermen to communicate with them for release of the kidnapped fishermen. We contacted the leaders of trawler owners' association to take necessary step immediately," said Tapu Akond, owner of FB Reaz Uddin, one of the looted trawlers.
"After being informed by trawler owners' association leaders, we have already sent patrol boats to the spot and started operation to rescue the fishermen," said Lt Bazlul Karim, staff officer (Operation) of West Zone of the coastguard in Pathorghata.