18 fishermen abducted from Sundarbans in Satkhira
Locals said the abductions took place on Thursday when the fishermen were fishing in canals linked to the Mamundo and Malancha rivers.
Eighteen fishermen have reportedly been abducted by forest pirates from the Satkhira Range of the Sundarbans while fishing in separate rivers and canals, according to other local fishermen.
They said the abductions took place on Thursday (22 January) when the fishermen were fishing in canals linked to the Mamundo and Malancha rivers.
The abducted fishermen are residents of Harinagar, Kadamtala, Mathurapur, Moukhali and Chhoto Betkhali areas of Munshiganj union under Shyamnagar upazila.
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Md Fazlul Haque, assistant conservator of forests (ACF) of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range, said he had learnt about the incident through various sources.
"However, no fisherman or any of their family members has lodged a formal complaint with us yet," he added.
Fishermen alleged that the forest pirates abducted the men while posing as members of "Don Bahini".
They also said that despite fishing in compliance with Forest Department regulations, they were not being spared by the pirates. Due to insecurity, many fishermen have stopped fishing.
