A total of 96 pirates of 18 gangs of Maheshkhali upazila formally surrendered by handing over arms to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday. They put down 155 firearms, 28 rounds of bullets and 255 cartridges to return to normal life at a function at Kalarmarchhara Government Primary School ground at Maheshkhali.

At the function, the 96 robbers were given Taka 50,000 each as donation as part of the government’s initiative to bring them back to normal life. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Patwary addressed the function as the guest of honor with Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police ABM Masud Hossain in the chair.

Addressing the function, the home minister said all cases, except those for rape and killing, against the

surrendered pirates will be withdrawn and necessary assistance will be given from the government to help them come to normal life.

Voicing warning that stern actions will be taken against the robbers who did not surrender, the minister urged them to do it as soon as possible.

“Lists with identity of all people who are involved in piracy and terrorist activities have already come to law enforcement agencies. Lists of their influential godfathers have also been made,” Asaduzzaman said, adding none would be spared. Members of Parliament (MPs) Jafar Alam, Ashik Ullah Rafiq and Saimum Sarwar Kamal, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Chattogram Range of Police Khandaker Golam Faruk, Cox’s Baraz District Council Chairman Mostaq Ahmed Chowdhury, acting deputy commissioner (DC) of Cox’s Bazar Md Ashraful Absar and district Awami League President Advocate Sirajul Mostafa and General Secretary Mujibur Rahman addressed the function, among others.

After surrender, the pirates were sent to jail showing them arrested in arms cases.