100 Bay fishermen kidnapped

BAGERHAT, Sept 5: Robbers have kidnapped over 100 fishermen and looted fishes and fishing nets worth Tk 5.0 million from nearly 100 boats in the Bay of Bengal. Witnesses said members of two robber gangs - 'Jahangir Bahini' and 'Farid Bahini' - committed the robberies between Fairway buoy and Mohipur areas from Thursday night to Friday morning. The abducted fishermen hail from Bagerhat, Patuakhali, Bhola and Barguna districts. Sharankhola Upazila Fishermen's Association president Abul Hossain said that about 50-60 armed members of the two bandit groups swooped on the fishing boats and looted valuables. The robbers picked up over 100 fishermen for ransom. Fishermen who escaped the abduction said the robbers have demanded Tk 50,000 as ransom within a week for the release of each of them.—UNB