36 'forest robbers' killed in a year in Sundarbans

At least 36 'forest robbers' were killed in 'gunfights' with law enforcers and infightings in the Sundarbans in the last one year.
A large number of firearms and bullets have also been recovered during the period from March last year to March 16 this year.
In the latest incident, at least five robbers, including two ring leaders, were killed in a 'shootout' with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in Morabhola canal of the Sundarbans on Friday.
The dead are ring leader Jihad, 40, and Sohag Farazi, 35, and their cohorts Al-Amin, 30, Asad Boyati, 32 and Belal, 30, of different villages in Rampal and Sharankhola upazilas of Begerhat district.
On February 28, four of a gang were killed in a gun battle with Rab members at Dudhmukhi Canal in the eastern part of the world's largest mangrove forest under Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat district on February 28.
Three of the deceased were identified as Jamal Hossain and Montu alias Member Montu of Rampal upazila and Bachchu Miah of Morelganj upazila of Bagerhat. All of them were members of notorious "Gama Bahini".
The elite force recovered 21 firearms and 68 bullets from the spot of the gunfight.
Nuruzzaman, company commander of Patuakhali camp of Rab-8, said that a team took position near Dudhmukhi canal on a tip-off that the gangsters of Gama Bahini would bring a consignment of arms through the canal.
Rab members challenged a trawler around 9:50am. Sensing the presence of Rab, the robbers opened fire on them, forcing the law enforcers to return fire.
Four forest robbers were killed during the gunfight while others managed to escape.
Sohrab Hawlader, ringleader of “Sohrab Bahini”, was killed in a police 'shootout' at PC Baroikhali village in Morelganj upazila on February 19.
One firearm and three bullets were also recovered from the spot.
Five forest robbers -- Mukul, ringleader of “Mukul Bahini”, Kabir and Koyla Khokon -- were killed and another injured in gunfight between two rival groups at Jongla in the Sundarbans under Dakope upazila of Khulna on February 12.
A suspected forest robber, Kibria Fakir, 30, was killed in a gunfight between the gangsters of "Jihad Bahini" and Rab and Bangladesh Coastguard members in Darjar canal area under Sharankhola range of the Sundarbans on January 19.
Nine firearms, 34 bullets and six bullet shells were also recovered from the spot.
Two alleged robbers were killed in a gunfight with a joint force of Rab and Coastguard at Nishankhali of the Sundarbans under Dakope upazila on November 12 last year.
The deceased were identified as Abdul Mannan, 'second-in-command' of infamous "Raju Bahini" and Masud.
It was the biggest combined operation so far of Rab and coastguard when about 350 members of the elite force took part in the raid on the den of Raju Bahini in the deep forest of the Sundarbans, 100km off Mongla Port.
Around 500 bullets were traded during the fierce fight spanning two and a half hours.
Sixteen firearms, and huge live bullets and cartridges were recovered from the spot.
Four robber suspects were killed in a 'gunfight' with Rab at Dhanche Baria in the Sundarbans under Sharankhola upazila on September 29, 2011.
Three of the deceased were Belayet Hossain, Rowshan and Quamrul, all members of Raju Bahini.
Six single-barrel foreign rifles, five light-guns, one pistol, 24 bullets and two binoculars were recovered from the scene.
Notorious robber Mohammad Nasir, son of Abdur Rob Sheikh of Doshani of Bagerhat district, was killed in a shootout between his cohorts and Rab members in Batiaghata upazila of Khulna district on July 5 last year.
One pistol, one revolver and four bullets were seized from the spot.
Four suspected forest robbers, including the ringleader of a gang, were killed in a gunfight with Rab at Supti forest station under Sharankhola range in the East Sundarbans on June 22.
The deceased was identified as Zulfikar alias Zulfu, the ringleader of notorious 'Zulfikar Bahini', his accomplices Hafiz, Meghna Zakir and Halim alias Shanu.
Three gang members -- Kuddus Mollah, Aroj Ali and Idris Ali -- were killed in a gunfight with Rab and Coastguards in the Baleshwar River near Chardoani in Patharghata upazila of Barguna district on June 10.
Two members of 'Raju Bahini'--Jahangir and Abdul Kuddus -- were killed in a gun battle with a joint team of Rab and Coastguard in Dimerchar area of the Sundarbans under Sharankhola on May 21.
The joint force also recovered 17 firearms, 47 bullets and sharp weapons from the spot.
Two forest robbers were killed in a gunfight with coastguards in Supati area of the Sundarbans on March 2 last year.
The deceased was identified as Rafique Master, the ringleader of notorious 'Rafique Bahini', and Abu Hanif.
In the same month, forest robbers Sayed Shikdar and Sheikh Asad were killed in Rab 'shootout' in the same area.
Sources said several hundred members of about 25 robber gangs are carrying out various illegal activities, including killing, robbery, kidnapping and extortion, in the Sundarbans.
The criminals often kidnap fishermen, woodcutters and honey collectors in the forest to realise ransom.
The gangs are also responsible for illegal poaching of tigers and deer and logging in the Sundarbans.