COX’S BAZAR : A total of 43 pirates of six gangs of Kutubdia and Maheshkhali surrendered to the Home Minister here along with firearms on Saturday, reports UNB.
Ten members of ‘Anju Bahini’, two members of ‘Ramij Bahini’, six members of ‘Kalaboda Bahini’, 15 members of ‘Jalal Bahini’, nine members of ‘Ayub Bahini’ and one member of ‘Alauddin Bahini’ surrendered with 94 firearms and 7,637 rounds of bullet at a programme arranged by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-7) in the field of Adarsha High School in Maheshkhali municipality.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan attended the programme as the chief guest and Rab Director General Benzir Ahmed as special guest.
The Home Minister said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon those who have already realised that piracy to come to normal life.”
“We will provide these pirates with the opportunity to live a normal life according to the prevailing laws of the country.”
The minister added: “There is still time for those who have not surrendered yet. Surrender quickly while there is time. If not, strict measures will be taken.”
“Those who have surrender today will be rehabilitated, but will have to face music if return to their former profession,” said the minister.
Later, the minister handed over financial assistance to the surrendered pirates to help them adapt to society.
Chittagong Divisional Police Officer Khandaker Golam Faruque, Cox’s Bazar-2 Constituency MP Asheq Ullah Rafiq, Cox’s Bazar-3 MP Shaimum Sarwar Kamal, Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Kamal Hossain, Police Superintendent ABM Masud Hossain, District Awami League Advocate Sirajul Mostofa and General Secretary Mujibur Rahman were present at the programme, among others.