7 fishermen abducted from Sundarbans

12 April 2009, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Satkhira

Pirates abducted seven fishermen for Tk 1lakh ransom from Fatiker Canal in the Sundarbans Wednesday evening, according to a report received here yesterday. Pirates have set seven days deadline for payment of ransom failing which the captives will face 'the dire consequences,' a fishermen named Mominur Rahman, who managed to escape from the pirates told police. The abducted are: Abdul Gaffar, 35, son of Asgar Ali of village Dhumghta, Ashraful Islam, 25, son of Monsur Ali, Dolon, 38, son of Abdul Sardar, Kawsar Ali Gazi, 35, son of Kabir Gazi, Yasin Ali, 24, son of Kawsar Ali, Johor Ali, 50, son of Zahed Ali Gazi of village Tengrakhali and Asgar Ali, 44, son of Zobed Ali of village Kewratala in Shyamnagar upazila. They are now held hostage in deep forest, police quoted fisherman Momin as saying, pirates are sending messages to relatives of captives to pay ransom within the deadline or receive dead bodies of the fishermen. Eight fishermen went to the Sundarbans by two trawlers. As soon as they reached Fatiker Canal, a gang of pirates swooped on them, looted cash and valuables and abducted the fishermen. Relatives have urged the law enforcers to rescue the fishermen. Contacted, Shyamnagar officer-in-charge (OC) Babul Akhtar said they are trying to rescue the victims.