Kolkata
Sunderbans pirate attacks: Centre, state unfazed Monotosh Chakraborty , TNN | Jan 30,2012, 03.54AM IST
KOLKATA: Last Friday's incident in which three fishermen were killed after being attacked by pirates was nothing unexpected . Local fishermen's unions complained that neither the district administration nor the central agencies concerned have done anything to step up security arrangements in the area.
It has been repeatedly noticed in recent past that gangs enter throughthe Pihari Khal, which flows out intois before the Bay of Bengal. There is a 35km long vacant area between the khal and Hiran point where there is no patrolling. The area is about 80 nautical miles away from Kakdwip.
From pirates and cow smugglers to criminal gangs, this route is used freely by pirates and cow smugglers to criminal gangs, but neither the district administration nor the centre have tightened up vigil. Moreover, the committee that was formed by the governor of West Bengal, way back in 2003, have beenholding meetings and coming up with suggestions for guards to be posted in this place but nothing has happened yet.
It was in December 2000, a gang of Bangladeshi pirates had a made massive attack. This was followed by a 81-hour long demonstration by about 15,000 fishermen in Ram Ganga islandfor 81 hours at a stretch. The demonstration and hunger strike was withdrawn only after BJP leader LK Advani sent a letter.
Again on December 28, 2000, the Border Security Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Forest department police, fisheries department and several NGOs took a joint decision that an outpost will be set up in Baghmara jungleto tighten up security. However, the decision has remained on paper till date.
In 2003, the then Governor of West Bengal had formed a committee to look into this issue. The committee was entrusted to see how this problem could be solved and was asked to hold meeting once in every three months. Though the meetings still continue, the last meeting being held on January 4 this year, but nothing has borne fruit. where the suggestion of posting guards was again put up.
Incidentally, just after two days on January 6, a gang of pirates attackedBangoduwari Island and abducted three people. Three Kalipada Sarkar from one of the trawlers called Pinki and two others from trawler FB Arjun, including one Jayram Sardar were abducted. They were released later.
West Bengal United Fishermen's secretary Jaykrisna Halder complained that they have met withthe DM of South 24-Parganas for about 15 times in the last five to six years, but nothing has been done to solve the problem. The present DM N S Nigam said that the BSF and the coast guard have been keeping patrol.
Sunderbans tiger project director Subrat Mukherjee said that Friday's incident happened about 150 nautical miles away at Kendo Island."We will jointly work with the coastal police to increase patrolling,"he said. On Sunday, the five arrested pirates were produced at Kakdwip ACJM court and remanded to 14 daysof judicial custody.
Link:
Sunderbans pirate attacks: Centre, state unfazed - The Times of India
