Robbers abduct 68 fishermen, take away 3 trawlers from Bay

Robbers kidnapped at least 68 fishermen and took away three fishing trawlers from the Bay yesterday and the day before.

Our Patuakhali correspondent reported that a gang of robbers from the Sundarbans kidnapped 50 fishermen on Tuesday morning, Ansar Uddin Molla, president of Kuakata-Alipur Fishermen's Samity said.

Bashir Ahmed, a trawler owner of Koralia area under Rangabali upazila in Patuakhali district, said the robbers also took away three fishing trawlers from the Bay near Kuakata.

Of the fishermen, only three were identified as Masud Majhi, 40, Lal Chan Majhi, 45 and Basir Mia, 42, Bashir said, adding that the three hail from different villages under Rangabali upazila.

Officer-in-Charge Md Monir Hossain of Rangabali Police Station said none of the fishermen informed him about the incident. Md Azizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kalapara Police Station said he came to know the matter from Patharghata Police Station.

Our Noakhali correspondent adds: Robbers abducted at least 18 fishermen from the Bay for ransom early yesterday.

Md Rashed, president of Hatiya Fishing Boat Owners' Association said the fishermen from Surjamukhi Ghat went to deep sea for fishing on Tuesday night.

While they were crossing Sangu Gas Field Area on the way to Hatiya at around 4:00pm, a gang of robbers kidnapped them.

The gang later demanded Tk 3 lakh over cellphone from the boat owner for release of the fishermen, Rashid said.

Lieutenant Tanvir Ahmed, Station Commander of coastguard in Hatiya, said that they were informed that the robbers were staying at Kutubdia with the abductees

"We have already informed coastguards in Moheshkhali and Kutubdia about the matter," the commander said.