The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Bagerhat

Coastguard troops continued their operation to rescue 70 fishermen kidnapped at sea by pirates for ransom off Mongla- Sarankhola coast Monday.

The Coastguard members of Mongla West Zone reinforced their operation yesterday morning in the adjoining coastal areas of Bagerhat, including the sprawling Sundarbans.

But the abducted fishermen could not be traced till the last report came in.

Fishermen returning from the Bay of Bengal said a gang of pirates, led by ringleader Zulfiqar, launched attack on 70 fishing trawlers on Monday night near Dublarchar and looted their nets and fishes.

The pirates also beat the fishermen, kidnapped 70 crews of the trawlers.

The gang demanded ransom of Tk 50,000 for release of each of the abducted fishermen, with threat to kill them all if the demand is not met in five days.

The abducted fishermen hailed from different districts, including Bagerhat, Cox's Bazaar, Pirojpur, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola and Patuakhali.

Meanwhile, the news of the abduction of the fishermen created panic among the fishing communities in the coastal region.

"The family members of the fishermen are passing their days in anxieties and were seen moving to beg mahajans for the ransom money.