Locals have arrested two forest robbers in an operation in the area adjacent to the Sundarbans in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira. They were arrested separately from Jatindranagar and Mirgang areas of the upazila at around 9:30 pm and 11:30 pm on Monday. They were later handed over to the police.
The arrested are Nazir Gazi (55), son of the deceased Naushad Gazi of Dakshin Kadamtala village of Munshiganj union in Shyamnagar, and Didarul Islam (38), son of Shafiqul Islam of Baikari area of Koyra upazila of Khulna. Based on the information given by the arrested, the police recovered a single-barreled gun and a sharp knife from the fishing boat they were using.
Local witness Siddiq Hossain also said that 5-7 unknown people came to Jatindranagar market at around 8:30 pm yesterday. The locals became suspicious as they were looking for a microbus or motorcycle. When questioned, they gave confusing answers and tried to escape. At that time, locals chased and caught Didarul and informed the police. Later, Shyamnagar police reached the spot and took him to the police station. Later, the local people also arrested Nazir Gazi from Mirgang area. Based on the information given by him, weapons were recovered from the gang’s boat with the help of the police.
During interrogation, Nazir Gazi said that he worked as a laborer for the notorious ‘Jonab Bahini’ of the Sundarbans. On Monday, he signed a contract to take two members to Jatindranagar market for Tk 10,000.
Another arrested Didarul said that he worked as a laborer under Nazir Gazi and was involved in ransoming fishermen by holding them hostage in the Sundarbans.
Local residents Ismail Hossain, Mostafizur Hossain and several people said that although the ‘Jonab Bahini’ is not very active at present, Nazir Gazi, his son Abdur Rahim, Didarul and some people are carrying out banditry in the Sundarbans in the name of Jonab Bahini. They further alleged that Didarul entered the Sundarbans using the boat of a transport businessman from Munshiganj. Although other boats are repeatedly being hijacked, there is no precedent for such an incident with that businessman’s boat.
Shyamnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Humayun Kabir Molya said that the detainees are being interrogated. Initially, it was learned that they used to enter the Sundarbans disguised as fishermen.
