People of Fulchhari upazila in Gaibandha and Dewanganj upazila in Jamalpur are going through troublesome times due to rampant piracy at the Brahmaputra River.
The people have no choice but to depend on water vessels for transport.
People living in Mollarchar, Fazlupur, Erendabari, Gozaria and Fulchhari unions of the district come to the Fulchhari upazila headquarters and Gaibandha district town every day for necessary errands and work, locals said.
In addition, a number of traders from Islampur, Menlandaha and Kulkandi areas in Jamalpur also come to Bharatkhali Haat under Saghata upazila in the district twice a week to purchase commodities and cattle.
Moreover, many people of Gaibandha go to Dewanganj upazila and its neighbouring areas in Jamalpur for various purposes via boats that travel through the Balashighat-Bahadurabadghat river route.
When an engine-driven boat carrying passengers and cattle reached the middle of the river, gangs of pirates surprise them and rob their belongings at gunpoint.
On Wednesday, a daring robbery was committed on a passenger boat in the middle of the river, where dacoits looted cash and valuables worth over Tk1m from passengers.
A victim said the boat had started from Bahadurabadghat for Balashighat of the district in the afternoon with over 80 passengers of the Teesta Express train.
“As soon as the boat reached the middle of the river at Khatiamarichar under Fulchhari upazila, a gang of 15/16 masked pirates came in on a speedboat,” he said.
The pirates beat them indiscriminately and looted their cash, mobile phones and other goods, including ornaments, worth over Tk1m at gunpoint, he added.
At least 10 passengers were injured and were later admitted to different hospitals and clinics of the district.
Joynul Abedin, chairman of Fazlupur union parishad, said passengers and cattle traders could not move through the river due to piracy. Two other robberies were also committed on the river.
Mahbubur Rahman, contractor of Bharatkhali Cattle Haat Committee, alleged that despite continuing robberies on the river, authorities do not take any measures. Officer-in-Charge of Fulchhari police station M Mashiur Rahman said they were trying to apprehend the dacoits and end such incidents.