Pirates rule Meghna

Those resisting the Gazi bahini face violent retaliation. Complaint to the Goshairhat police station by local Union Paishad chairman and members yielded no result.

Hundreds of fishermen on the Meghna, one of the main sources of fishes in the city, are now facing uncertain days with their livelihood.

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The acting Officer-in-Charge of Goshairhat police station, Sub-inspector Qurban Ali, told The Daily Star that he was aware of "a problem" in Char Maijari area but is yet to receive any written complaint from any one.

He said Badal Gazi is now 'on bail' in a rape and murder case.

"I shall reinforce river patrol and also issue a warning to Badal Gazi," Qurban Ali said.

According to Monir Howladar, a fisherman from Char Maindara, about ten men in an engine boat waylaid his fishing boat recently when he and his men were returning from a two-day fishing trip in the Meghna and Arial Kha rivers.

"They beat us so badly before taking our catches worth at least Tk 10,000," Monir Hossain said. He said, everyday Gazi bahini is looting fishes from fishermen in the area.

According to Abul Munshi, Chairman of Kuchaipatti Union Parishad, Badal Gazi and his gang have long been involved in extortion from fishermen and wholesale fish suppliers in the area.

"We have complained to Goshairhat police station but nothing has been done," he said.

Officials of Coast Guard which patrol vast areas on the Meghna and the coast said they had also heard of pirates operating in those areas.

Sources in the Coast Guard said that they captured dozens of pirates from Noakhali char areas recently. Some others were killed in encounters.

"The biggest problem facing the country's waterways is involvement of police in crimes centring the pirates," said a Coast Guard official requesting anonymity.

"There are several hundred river police outposts equipped with mobile phones and during many operations we found that police realised shares of the pirates' booties," he said.

Whenever Coast Guard launches joint operation with police, the pirates get advance information, he claimed.