Bangladesh Sunderban

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Bangladesh: Sundarban witnessing rise in the numbers of tigers, deers

Strict action will be taken against those who try to mislead those who have returned to normal life by surrendering.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General (DG) and Additional IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun issued the warning.

"We were warned," he said.

"As it is still going on, the number of tourists visiting the Sundarbans is increasing, the movement of people has increased and piracy has come down to zero. The number of tigers and deer has also increased. All kinds of initiatives are being taken by the government to ensure the normal life of the surrendering pirates," he said.

Sunday (November 1) marks the third anniversary of the bandit-free Sundarbans Day. On this occasion, RAB has taken special initiative to rehabilitate the pirates who surrendered at Rampal in Bagerhat.

The RAB DG told reporters at the RAB headquarters on Saturday (October 30) afternoon. He said people could not go to the Sundarbans coast in the eighties.

The situation has changed after the formation of a task force on the initiative of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The process of de-pirating the Sundarbans began.

From then on, the pirates were cornered. They started Ferrari life. Later the process of surrendering to the RAB began. Fleeing life tends to return to normal life. Among them is the realization that piracy is not a respectable profession. Even a low income can be good with respect and pride.

RAB chief Abdullah Al Mamun said that RAB launched a pirate-free operation in the Sundarbans from May 31, 2016 to January 1, 2016. At that time, 326 members of 32 bandits surrendered to the RAB along with 426 weapons and a large quantity of ammunition. After being completely free of pirates, on November 1, 2016, the Prime Minister declared the Sundarbans 'bandit-free'.

Recently a survey was conducted by RAB. Those who have surrendered are asked to know the interrogation and demands. Some of them wanted shops, some boats, some wanted nets to make a living by fishing. Knowing their needs, RAB has taken initiative to provide assistance.

The DG of RAB said that now the fragrance of peace is wafting in the Sundarbans. Kidnappings, killings are no longer seen in the Sundarbans. Fishermen do not have to pay their share of hard earned money to anyone. Mawali, Bawali, forest dwellers of the Sundarbans, including wild animals, are all living peacefully. Now tourists, visitors, sailors can go to the Sundarbans without fear.