Tk 50,000 fish looted by pirates

They also looted fuel from the boats, local fishermen said.

The same group attacked five boats carrying merchandise in the river on Tuesday. They looted Tk 2 lakh from the boats, returning from Kalaiya bazaar. Ten businessmen sustained injuries by their attack. After committing the crime the pirates fled away towards Lalmohon with the booty by a white colour speed-boat.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

On contact, Patuakhali Police Superintendent (SP) Awarangjeb Mahbub confirmed the report.

Life of people in 15 shoals of Bauphal upazila became miserable due to pirates' menace.

However, police fail to catch them due to absence of speed-boats.

The notorious group is named after its ring leader Shiraj of Gajaria village in Lalmohon upazila, Bhola. Most frequently pirates raid boats of fishermen and traders, loot their cash and valuables. They also attack inhabitants of different shoals in the river and loot their crops, cattle including cash and valuables. The group is engaged in looting aman paddy from villagers of the bordering shoals during harvesting season every year, according to local people.

Police cannot take action against them because of their location outside the district.

Suffering people have demanded a routine joint operation by police of Patuakhali and Bhola districts regularly.