Pirates kidnap 40 more fishermen on Barguna coast
217 abducted in Bay since May, 177 buy freedom
Pirates kidnapped more 40 fishermen Friday night from Kachikhali coast in Pathorghata of Barguna district as they did not buy 'token', issued by the gangs after payment of toll.
They took the fishermen to an unknown place in the Sundarbans and demanded Tk 10 lakh ransom, according to a message received Pathorghata Saturday night.
Fish trader Tipu in Pathorghata said that a gang named Maijha Bahini' kidnapped the fishermen when they took shelter in a safe place due to inclement weather and rough sea.
The gang in their message demanded payment of the ransom within 36 hours, he said.
When contacted Jahangir, Contingent Commander of Navy in Pathorghata, said being informed, they launched a drive to the Sundarbans to rescue the fishermen and capture the pirates.
But none could be rescued when the report was filed at 5 pm yesterday.
Nazrul Islam, president of Pathorghata Trawler Workers Union, said pirates kidnapped 217 fishermen from the Bay since May. Of them, 177 were freed on payment of ransom.
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