Over the past eighteen months, a surge in kidnappings, ransom demands, and armed banditry has unsettled the Sundarbans and surrounding coastal regions of Satkhira and Khulna. Local residents report that multiple armed groups have become active again in the western Sundarbans, targeting fishermen, honey collectors, and forest workers. On Thursday morning, eight forest workers were reportedly abducted at gunpoint from areas near the Chunkhuri River in the Satkhira range, with ransom demands ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 taka.

Families of the abducted say the kidnappers identified themselves as members of groups called Nanna Bhai/Don Bahini and Chhoto Jahangir Bahini, demanding payments through mobile banking. Locals claim that fear has returned to the waterways, with many now afraid to enter the forest for work. Some allege that fake journalists are collecting information on forest workers and passing it to the gangs.

The Coast Guard stated that regular joint operations under “Operation Mangrove Shield” have led to the arrest of over 60 bandits and the recovery of weapons. Forest and police officials said patrols and surveillance have been intensified to ensure safety and respond to complaints promptly.