GUWAHATI: The waters of the Brahmaputra near Bilasipara in Assam’s Dhubri district are now under the menacing shadow of river pirates.
In a shocking incident on Monday night, a gang of river pirates looted a group of businessmen while traversing the Brahmaputra River near Saildhara, close to Bilasipara town.
The ordeal left six people injured and are currently admitted at the Bilasipara Model Hospital for treatment. As the dacoits attempted to make their escape following the crime, vigilant locals who had been waiting on the river’s shore managed to apprehend two of the culprits.
The detained individuals have been identified as Saddam Hussain and Shahjamal. A team of local police arrived at the scene and swiftly initiated an investigation into the matter.
Earlier, the group of traders had gone to the Jaleswar weekly market to sell their products, which included paddy and dried jute leaves. Late at night, as they began their journey back home, they opted for a motorboat to cross the Brahmaputra River.
However, they were ambushed mid-river by a gang of notorious dacoits, numbering around 15 to 20. The dacoits, who arrived in their own boat, launched an attack on the traders and ruthlessly looted Rs 10 lakhs from the victims.
One of the victims, recounting the terrifying episode, told the press that somewhere after crossing Saildhara, a group of dacoits arrived in another boat and attacked them, forcibly taking away the hard-earned money. Approximately 10 minutes later, they also targeted another boat, he added.
This act of river piracy has prompted heightened security measures in the waters and renewed calls for the swift action against the remaining culprits involved in the act.
