Fishers form boat human chain on Kholpetua river demanding end to Sundarbans forest pirates

Fishers and bawalis of the coast have held a boat human chain and protest rally on the Kholpetua river in Shyamnagar of Satkhira, demanding the elimination of forest pirates in the Sundarbans.

The fishers joined the boat blockade with hundreds of boats on the Kholpetua river in Shyamnagar upazila at 11am on Monday (9 November).

Local political figures and representatives of civil society also took part in the programme, expressing solidarity with it.

Chaired by Salahuddin Liton, chief coordinator of the Forest Pirate Elimination Committee, the rally was addressed by Md Soleyman Kabir, convener of Shyamnagar upazila BNP; Shafiqul Islam Dulu, convener of Shyamnagar upazila Jubo Dal; Md Nuruzzaman, convener of Ishwaripur union BNP; and Khairul Islam Milan, member secretary of Gabura union BNP.

Also speaking at the rally were Yasin Arafat, president of Gabura union Jubo Jamaat; UP members GM Abiar Rahman, Farida Parvin, Master Abdur Rahim, Khalid Hossain and Parul Akter; and fishers Bablur Rahman, Sabur Ali, Umar Faruk and Saiful Islam, among others.

At the rally, fisher Bablur Rahman said they have been carrying on their movement for a long time, but have still seen no result. He alleged that the administration remains indifferent.

Bablur Rahman said forest pirates abduct fishers from one area or another every day, demanding ransom. He said their fear has grown since they took to protest.

Fisher Sabur Ali said they have been going hungry day after day because they cannot enter the Sundarbans. He said they live in great hardship with their families, fearing that they will be abducted as soon as they enter the forest.

Sabur Ali added that although they have informed the administration repeatedly, they have seen no visible step taken.

Fisher Omar Faruk said the government should eliminate the forest pirates, and if it cannot, it must arrange alternative employment for them.