In the last 57 months, a total of 82 bandits were killed in gunfight with members of law enforcement agencies in the Sundarbans, according to statistics from different agencies.
The outlaws were killed when RAB, police and Coast Guard officials carried out drives in the Sundarbans from January 2010 till yesterday.
Besides, three bandits died in internal clashes and two others were beaten to death by fishermen in this period.
Of the 87, nine were killed in 2010, 19 in 2011, 19 in 2012, 14 in 2013 and 26 till yesterday.
Fourteen among the 87 were leaders of different groups and they were Manik, Krishna Sagor, Motaleb, Zulfikar, Sohag, Jihad, Nabakumar, Gama, Meghna Zakir, Nata Shahidul, Mahbub alias Saijja, Amzad, Rubel and Moktar.
During the drivers conducted in the 57 months, 330 firearms, 2,661 rounds of bullets, 69 sharp weapons and a slew of bombs were recovered.
The Sundarbans is stretched over 6,017 square kilometres in Bangladesh, with 4,143 square kilometres in land area and 1,873 square kilometres in water area. According to sources, a vast area is reigned by robbers.
A five-month fishing season is about to start in the Sundarbans and coastal areas within a day or two, and law enforcers said they had beefed up security to protect the fishermen from falling prey to bandits.
Commander of RAB 8 Lt Col Faridul Islam said the local administration had taken measures to ensure security for fishermen.
“Fishermen are also helping to check the activities of bandits while members of law enforcement agencies, including RAB, are on the alert for any crimes,” he added.
