SARANKHOLA, BAGERHAT, May 22: Fear and panic have gripped fishermen and honey collectors as criminal activities of the notorious "Jahangir gang" reportedly escalate in the Sundarban, with six more fishermen abducted within 24 hours.
According to local sources, armed members of the gang abducted six fishermen on Wednesday night from the Chaprakhali area under the Sarankhola range in the eastern Sundarban while they were fishing in the river.
Just a day earlier, 12 fishermen were abducted from the Fushfusharchar area in the same locality, bringing the total number of abducted fishermen to 18 within a single day.
Victims include two brothers Hafizul, 24 and Faizur, 20 from Uttar Rajapur Village in Sarankhola Upazila, Bellal Mir, 35, Soleman, 40, and Hasib, 21from Padma Village in Patharghata Upazila. The identity of one other victim could not be confirmed immediately.
Fishermen alleged that the group, locally known as the "Jahangir Bahini," has become a major source of fear in the forest, regularly patrolling rivers and canals, holding fishermen hostage at gunpoint, and demanding ransom.
They also claimed that in many cases, fishing nets, boats, and fuel are looted, severely disrupting livelihoods.
Local fish traders and fishermen said that due to rising insecurity, fishing and honey collection activities in the forest have been badly affected, forcing many to avoid entering the forest despite livelihood pressures.
A forest department official in the Sarankhola range of the Sundarban East Forest Division, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the number of permits for fishing and honey collection has significantly declined this year due to fear of pirates, leading to a drop in government revenue.
He warned that worsening security conditions could further negatively impact forest resource extraction activities.
Shalarchar Patrol Outpost In-Charge Forest Guard Md Mizanur Rahman said they had received reports of the abduction of six fishermen from Chaprakhali and were investigating the matter.
However, Officer-in-Charge of Sarankhola Police Station Md Shaminul Haque said no formal complaint had yet been filed, adding that legal action would be taken once a complaint is received.
