Following a successful campaign by the Rab to facilitate the surrender of robbers in the Sundarbans, the region was declared robber-free on November 1, 2018.

Between 2016 and 2018, 328 robbers from 32 groups surrendered, handing over 462 weapons and 22,504 rounds of ammunition, according to the Forest Department and police sources.

After the surrender, many robbers received financial assistance under a government rehabilitation programme.

However, lack of monitoring over the past few years saw several of these individuals return to criminal activities, including armed robberies targeting fishermen and honey collectors and abductions with demand for ransom, among others.

As such, the Sundarbans have again become unsafe for those who depend on the mangrove forest for their livelihoods.

Following a decline in monitoring, robber groups have resurfaced in the Sundarbans, targeting fishermen and honey collectors. Abductions, ransom demands, and violent robberies are on the rise, making the region unsafe again for those dependent on the mangrove forest.

Locals complained that several new groups -- Asabur Bahini, Sharif Bahini, Abdullah Bahini, Manjur Bahini, and Dayal Bahini -- have become active, particularly in the western Sundarbans, across Khulna's Koyra and Dacope upazilas and Satkhira's Shyamnagar upazila.

Additionally, some prisoners, including identified criminals, who managed to escape jail during the July uprising, have also joined these criminal activities.

These groups intercept fishing boats under the guise of forest officials, robbing fishermen of their catch, money, and valuables.

Fishermen who managed to escape captivity shared harrowing experiences of abduction, physical abuse, and ransom demands.

Meanwhile, at least six cases of abduction have been reported in the West Sundarbans in the last four months.

On November 8, two fishermen from Koyra upazila -- Atahar Hossain, 35, and Rafiqul Islam, 38 -- were abducted while fishing in the Malanch river within the forest, while their six companions were released to arrange a ransom.

"A group of robbers posing as Dayal Bahini abducted the two in Dune area of Satnala, and demanded a ransom of Tk 4 lakh," said Rabiul Islam, one of the six fishermen who were released.

The two fishermen later returned home after paying the ransom, confirmed Ferdous Dhali, a local union parishad member.

Dhali expressed concern about the safety of honey collectors and fishermen in the area and urged immediate administrative action in this regard.

According to sources, there is another group of 10-15 robbers called Abdullah Bahini, which patrols the Raimangal, Dargang, Atharobaki, Kachikata, Kachukhali, and Maondo rivers in the West Sundarbans and robs fishing boats and trawlers.

The leader Abdullah Tarafdar, 42, of Satkhira's Shyamnagar upazila, who was in jail in a woman trafficking case, escaped from prison on August 5, when Satkhira District Jail was vandalised, said sources.

On November 12, Coast Guard (West Zone) personnel arrested two robbers, including Asabur Sana, 42, leader of Asabur Bahini, and seized two single-barreled guns and four bullets.

Rafiqul Islam, member of Nolian Union Parishad in Dacope upazila, said Asabur Bahini has abducted at least 40 fishermen recently, releasing them after collecting ransom.

Ahidul Sheikh of Kalabagi village, one such victim, recounted, "Asabur's men abducted me from the Sorbotkhali canal, beat me, and forced me to call my family for ransom. I was released after paying Tk 10,200."

Contacted, AZM Hasanur Rahman, assistant conservator of forests, said, "On information, we conducted drives and rescued 10 fishermen, three boats, a solar panel and one bullet so far. We have also increased patrolling, and robust actions are underway."

Anwarul Kadir, director of Sundarban Academy, stressed the need for strict law enforcement and improved surveillance to nab the robbers and ensure the safety of fishermen and others.

Capt Faiz Uddin Ahmed, commander (West Zone) of Coast Guard, said their regular patrols, drives and intelligence operations against robbers are ongoing.

The commander of Rab-6 could not be reached for comment despite repeated calls and messages.