Kamal asks robbers to return to normal life

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday urged all robbers in the Sundarbans and maritime areas to return back to normal life as the government created an opportunity for them to do the same.

"The government would take stern actions against those robbers who would not abandon robbery and return back to normal life," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a function marking the surrendering of a robber group of the Sundarbans at Kuakata in Mohipur of Patuakhali.

Twelve members of a robber group known as “Noa Bahini” -- including their leader M Baki Billah alias Noa Miah -- surrendered to the home minister with their arms and ammunitions.

Welcoming them, the home minister said those who surrendered would get all cooperation from the government. The government pledged to free the country from terrorism and described the Sundarbans as one of the important areas.

He urged “Jahangir bahini” with eight other robber groups to return to normal life.

According to Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) sources, a team of Rab-8 conducted raids in the Pashur river of Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans on Thursday and Friday.

On the second day of the raid, the robbers took shelter at Putkhali canal and expressed their desire to surrender.

Rab Director General Benazir Ahmed, Rab-8 commander Lieutenant Colonel Anwar Uz Zaman and other law-enforcement agencies officials were present on the occasion, among others.

Earlier, the minister distributed winter clothes and gave Tk 20,000 among 33 robbers.