53 fishermen kidnapped in Sundarbans

Some 53 fishermen were kidnapped from different areas of the Sundarbans under Bagerhat and Satkhira districts, reports UNB.
The pirates abducted some 50 fishermen from four areas of the forest under Mongla Upazila of Bagerhat Thursday.
The kidnapped fishermen hail from different villages of Mongla, Rampal and Sharankhola Upazilas of the district.
Over 200 fishermen in around 50 trawlers had been catching fish in Harbaria, Dhansiddhirchar, Nandabala and Morapashu areas under Chandpai Range of the world's largest forest, said some fishermen who escaped the kidnapping.
Members of 'Awal alias Sotta Bahini' swooped on the trawlers of the fishermen from Thursday afternoon to night.
The hoodlums picked up 50 fishermen at gunpoint and fled into the deep forest.
The robbers demanded Tk 0.1 million as ransom for the release of each of fisherman unhurt, threatening to kill them if their demand is not met by three days.
Lt Commander M Alauddin, staff officer of operation wing of Mongla Coast Guard (West Zone), said a team of Coast Guard started a special operation since Thursday night to rescue the kidnapped fishermen and nab the robbers.
Besides, the pirates kidnapped three fishermen from the Katheshwar area of the Sundarbans under Satkhira Range Friday.
Gangsters belonging to 'Zia Bahini' picked the fishermen from the Katheshwar River at 11:00 am while they were catching turtles.
They demanded Tk 20,000 for each fisherman to let them go free unhurt.