Govt takes project to rehabilitate robbers

After the rehabilitation of some former militants, the government has undertaken a similar project for 92 robbers who had surrendered recently.
Sources said the project was in line with the home minister’s commitment to rehabilitate the former brigands, who had been terrorising the Sundarbans for a long time.
Under the project, the authorities will impart training on welding, driving, pisciculture, agriculture and other trades to help the former outlaws integrate into mainstream society.
Of the 92 former robbers, 49 were selected for training in driving, 21 for small business, 10 for pisciculture, three for farming and nine for other kinds of technical training.
After completion of their trainings, they will receive funds to start their own trade and business enterprises.
The secretary of the home ministry’s Public Security Division, Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, told The Independent that an additional secretary will implement the proposed project. “This would encourage more forest robbers to surrender soon because they also want to return to normal lives,” 
Ahmed said.
According to sources, most of the former robbers had decided to lay down arms and return to the mainstream following their arrest by the law enforcement agencies.
So far, gang members of Master Bahini, Manju Bahini, Elius Bahini, Alam Bahini, Santo Bahini, Sagar Bahini, Khoka Abu Baha'i I, Noa Bahini and Jahangir Bahini recently surrendered with a cache of arms and ammunition.
On May 29, 2016, the gang leader of Master Bahini, Md Mostafa Sheikh alias Master Mostafa, and nine associates had surrendered to Rapid Action Battalion-8 (RAB-8). Following this, the other gangs, too, had started surrendering one by one.
Commanding officer (CO) of RAB-8 Lt. Col. Mohammad Faridul Alam said all the Bahini members were notorious robbers operating in the Sundarbans.
“They had let loose a reign of terror in the Sundarbans by abducting fishermen, mouals (honey collectors) and baoalis (wood cutters) for ransom,” he added.
According to sources, there were at least 18 gangs of robbers operating in the Sundarbans, but there are only four or five left at present.
All the gangs possessed modern arms and ammunition, and each had its own area of operations. Nobody could dare enter the Sundarbans without a “token” given by them in lieu of a monthly payment. Local people said the robbers extorted anything between Tk. 3,000 and Tk. 200,000.
At present, the RAB and Bangladesh Coast Guard provide security in and around the Sundarbans.

Govt takes project to rehabilitate robbers

After the rehabilitation of some former militants, the government has undertaken a similar project for 92 robbers who had surrendered recently. Sources said the project was in line with the home ministers commitment to rehabilitate the former brigands, who had been terrorising the Sundarbans for a long time. Under the project, the authorities will impart training on welding, driving, pisciculture, agriculture and other trades to help the former outlaws integrate into mainstream society. Of the 92 former robbers, 49 were selected for training in driving, 21 for small business, 10 for pisciculture, three for farming and nine for other kinds of technical training. After completion of their trainings, they will receive funds to start their own trade and business enterprises. The secretary of the home ministrys Public Security Division, Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, told The Independent that an additional secretary will implement the proposed project. This would encourage more forest robbers to surrender soon because they also want to return to normal lives, Ahmed said. According to sources, most of the former robbers had decided to lay down arms and return to the mainstream following their arrest by the law enforcement agencies. So far, gang members of Master Bahini, Manju Bahini, Elius Bahini, Alam Bahini, Santo Bahini, Sagar Bahini, Khoka Abu Bahai I, Noa Bahini and Jahangir Bahini recently surrendered with a cache of arms and ammunition. On May 29, 2016, the gang leader of Master Bahini,Md Mostafa Sheikh alias Master Mostafa, and nine associates had surrendered to Rapid Action Battalion-8 (RAB-8). Following this, the other gangs, too, had started surrendering one by one. Commanding officer (CO) of RAB-8 Lt. Col. Mohammad Faridul Alam said all the Bahini members were notorious robbers operating in the Sundarbans. They had let loose a reign of terror in the Sundarbans by abducting fishermen, mouals (honey collectors) and baoalis (wood cutters) for ransom, he added. According to sources, there were at least 18 gangs of robbers operating in the Sundarbans, but there are only four or five left at present. All the gangs possessed modern arms and ammunition, and each had its own area of operations. Nobody could dare enter the Sundarbans without a token given by them in lieu of a monthly payment. Local people said the robbers extorted anything between Tk. 3,000 and Tk. 200,000. At present, the RAB and Bangladesh Coast Guard provide security in and around the Sundarbans.