In the Sundarbans – home of the Bengal tiger and the world’s largest mangrove forest – fishermen are being forced to pay Tk20,000–Tk25,000 per boat each month to robber gangs in exchange for fishing rights and to avoid abduction and torture.
To fish without harassment, they must purchase special tokens issued by these groups. The Daily Sun has obtained a token from the gang Sharif Bahini, which includes a contact number. Several calls to the number remained unreachable. Victimised fishermen and local government representatives report that robber activity has surged since the government changed on 5 August, taking advantage of a weakened law enforcement presence.
Several notorious gangs, including Asabur Bahini, Sharif Bahini, Abdullah Bahini, Manjur Bahini, Doyal Bahini, Majnu Bahini, Rabiul Bahini, Jahangir Bahini, Bhai Bahini and Mama Bhagne Bahini, are currently active in the Sundarbans, according to sources.
A police officer recently transferred from Satkhira to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) confirmed that around 200 fishermen had been kidnapped in recent times, yet victims fear retaliation and rarely report incidents to the police. Several fishermen from Sora and Chandimukha villages in Gabura union, Shyamnagar upazila, Satkhira, were abducted two weeks ago while fishing in the Sundarbans.
An elected union parishad representative, requesting anonymity, said that two groups—Manju Alim Party and Dulabhai-Shala-Bonai Party—were responsible. Each fisherman had to pay Tk25,000 for their release.
Chairmen of Gabura, Paddapukur and Atulia Union Parishads confirmed that several fishermen in their areas had also been abducted and released only after paying ransom. One union chairman noted that every boat-owning fisherman is forced to pay Tk25,000 per month to the dominant robber group in their fishing area.
Despite repeated complaints from local representatives, little action has been taken. Shyamnagar police station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Humayun confirmed awareness of the kidnappings but said no formal complaints had been filed.
Additional DIG (Crime Management), Khulna Range, Joydeb Chowdhury, admitted that abductions were happening but stated that law enforcement lacked official complaints.
Bangladesh Coast Guard’s Director of Operations Captain Mohammad Asaduzzaman said the force is conducting regular patrols, but no special operations have been launched. Lt Col Ashiqur Rahman of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing said that RAB is gathering intelligence and will take action.
Conservator of Forests (Khulna Circle) Imran Ahmed revealed that meetings with law enforcement agencies have been held, and tougher measures will be implemented soon. In 2018, the Sundarbans was declared “Robber-free” after 32 robber gangs surrendered following RAB-led crackdowns.
However, the resurgence of robber activity suggests that law enforcement efforts have weakened, allowing criminal groups to re-establish control over the region’s fishing industry. As ransom payments and forced “fishing fees” continue to burden the already struggling fishermen, urgent government intervention is needed to restore security in the Sundarbans.
