PATHARGHATA (BARGUNA), February 26, (V7N) — Thousands of fishermen and trawler workers gathered in Patharghata today to form a human chain, demanding urgent government intervention to halt the surge of piracy in the deep sea and Sundarbans region. The demonstration, held at the municipal town’s roundabout, highlighted a growing crisis of abductions, ransom demands, and violent attacks that have left coastal families in a state of constant panic.

The protest, organized by the Barguna District Fishermen Trawler Owners Association and the Trawler Workers Union, follows a series of harrowing incidents involving the "Big Jahangir" and "Little Jahangir" pirate gangs. According to local leaders, these gangs have turned the Katka area into a high-risk zone, snatching lakhs of taka in ransom and leaving many fishermen severely injured or missing.
Desperate Pleas and Hostage Crisis

The human chain heard testimonies of extreme brutality. Masum Majhi, a fisherman from Ruhita village, recounted his abduction on February 15. While he was released after a 4-lakh BDT ransom, three of his crew members—Mahbub (27), Sohel (17), and Raju (26)—remain missing. Similarly, Nihar Mandal, a crab fisherman released Wednesday after a 1-lakh BDT payment, described being kept in chains and blindfolded in the forest. "We narrowly escaped with our lives after another group opened fire on our trawler during the journey back," he added.
Economic Impact and Government Response

The ongoing insecurity has caused a near-collapse of the coastal fishing economy. Leaders of the Fishermen’s Association noted:

Suspended Operations: Thousands of fishermen are now afraid to venture into the sea, threatening the livelihood of families living below the poverty line.

Demands: The protesters called for intensified joint force operations, increased naval patrols, and the immediate rescue of current hostages.

Memorandum: Following the protest, a memorandum addressed to the Home Minister was submitted to Patharghata Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Israt Jahan.

UNO Israt Jahan assured the fishermen that the matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness. "The memorandum has been received and will be forwarded to the Home Ministry immediately," she stated. This protest coincides with recent high-level meetings in Khulna, where State Minister Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam announced a "zero-tolerance" policy and a coordinated crackdown on forest pirates to protect the nation’s "blue economy."

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