Pirates rule coastal waters as Hilsha season begins

In last 20 days, over 100 fishing boats were looted and at least 50 fishermen abducted by gangs of pirates. Fishermen have to buy from gangs 'token' worth Tk 5000 to Tk 20,000 depending on their boats.

The gangs will collect Tk 5 crore as toll from over 10,000 fishing boats in the coast during the hilsha season, sources in the fishermen's association said.

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Piracy increased in the coasts in recent days as most of the listed criminals have taken shelter in the Sundarbans close to the coast following the anti-crime drive by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on the mainland, they said. They come out of hideouts in the Sundarbans and move freely on the coastal waters. They formed gangs and are looting fishing boats almost every day, the fishermen said.

On May 25, pirates looted FB Gazana fishing boat and abducted one person for fishing without token.

On May 24, an armed gang of about 25 led by ringleader Jahangir Alam of Khulna looted 30 fishing boats and abducted 33 fishermen from three boats --FB Rakib, FB Hasina and FB Shahjahan. The incident took place about 20 kms south of Kuakata coast. They were released on payment of Tk two lakh.

On May 20, pirates took away four trawlers--FB Zafor, FB Kamal, FB Nizam and FB Jalal--and abducted 28 fishermen, about 150 kilometres south of Patharghata. Pirates demanded Tk one lakh for each boats. The fishermen bought their freedom after negotiation and returned to Kuakata alst week, the sources said.

“Pirates also loot fuel, food, nets and money from boats. They have camps in the Sundarbans where they keep abducted fishermen and release them after getting demanded amounts,” said fisherman Zakir Hossain.

“Piracy increased with the start of Hiisha season. Fishermen feel insecure to go to the Bay,” Nimai Chandra, secretary of the fishermen's association in Mohipur told this correspondent.

"We demand immediate steps by law enforcers to protect fishermen from pirates."

Fishermen in Kuakata said a gang led by Jalal from the Sundarbans rule in Kuakata, Gangamoti, Khajura, Alipur and Mohipur in Patuakhali coast. Two pictures of Royal Bengal Tiger and a symbolic name--Laban Chorais printed on the token which fishermen have to buy from the gang. Coastal areas in Patharghata and Parer Hat in Barguna and in Pirojpur are under 'control' of other gangs, he said.

Gang members move in trawlers and check fishing boats for token. Boats without token are looted and the fishermen abducted or thrown into water, Nimai Chandra said.

The pirate gangs increase their criminal activities during the Hilsha season from May to September.

Pirates looted fishes worth about Tk one lakh from a trawler owned by Md Farid of Noakhali on May 15 in Gangamoti area as they failed to show their token. Five fishermen of the trawler-- Shahed, Elias, Johar, Abu Taher, and Rafiq--rushed to Patuakhali Sadar thana and complained to police, but nothing happened.

When contacted, police in Kuakata said they did not know anything about 'token' and no fishermen complained to them.

Coast Guard official Masbah Uddin told this correspondent over cell phone that they are taking preparation to launch a joint operation with Rab on the Bay. He however said they have shortage of vessels.