The pirates also injured about 80 fishermen and crews and abducted another 90, and bore off 10 trawlers in this period. Some of the abducted trawlers and crews, however, were released after paying ransom.

Mustafa Chowdhury and Dulal Master, presidents of the Barguna Trawler Owners' and Workers' Association said that Kamal-Suman Bahini looted more than five trawlers of Patharghata, seven of Barguna and three of Sharonkhola on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning at Dimer Char and Kochikhali.

They claimed that local police, upazila administration, coast guard and naval bases at Patharghata, Kotka and Kochikhali were informed about the continuous mass piracies in the vast 65 square kilometre area.

However, due to slumberless of the law enforcers, abducted trawler owners have to negotiate with the pirates and pay ransom to release their properties and relatives, they further alleged.