Bangladesh
Bandit-free Sundarbans Bangladesh observing third anniversary of the bandit-free Sundarbans
Dhaka, November 1: The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is directly involved in the lives and livelihoods of various professional people, including coastal residents. Before 2018, their biggest fear in terms of livelihood was the nuisance of pirates and forest robbers. On November 1, 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the Sundarbans a 'bandit-free Sundarbans'. As such, today is the third anniversary of the bandit-free Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans was freed from bandits with the wisdom, direction of the Prime Minister and the direct supervision of the Home Minister and the activities of the RAB. In achieving this success, RAB has received the unwavering support and love of the people.
Pirate rehabilitation is going to be held on Monday (November 1) on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Sundarbans Day. This will rehabilitate the pirates who surrendered at Rampal in Bagerhat.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal will present houses, groceries, nets, fishing boats, motor boats and cattle among the surrendering pirates.
Special guests will be Gloria Jharna Sarkar, Member of Parliament for the reserved women's seat, Mustafa Kamal Uddin, Senior Secretary, Department of Public Security, Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr. Benazir Ahmed, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Major General Md. Safin, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The coastal foresters and fishermen have been held hostage by pirates and bandits since the 1980s.
Illegal felling of trees, killing of wild animals, abduction, killing people without ransom, robbery and snatching of trawlers were commonplace among the pirates.
In 2012, at the behest of the Prime Minister, the RAB Director General was appointed as the Chief Coordinator and a task force was formed to curb piracy in the Sundarbans. The pirates have been cornered in the RAB's joint operation since 2012 as the lead agency. They chose to surrender, ending Ferrari's life in successive expeditions.
With the consent of the Prime Minister, under the direct supervision of the Home Minister and under the management of RAB, from 31 May 2016 to 1 November 2018, 328 members of the 32 bandit teams of the Sundarbans surrendered with 462 weapons and a large quantity of ammunition. As a result, the Sundarbans is completely free of pirates.
Then on November 1, 2018, the Prime Minister announced the success. RAB has maintained this success for the last three years.
