Fifty-nine members of five active robber gangs in the Sundarban have surrendered to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), while the elite force recovered 59 firearms, 541 rounds of live ammunition, 14 empty cartridges and seven walkie-talkies in raids in the forest over the past three days.

RAB Director General Md Ahsan Habib Palash, BPM-Seva, disclosed the information at a press briefing at RAB-6 headquarters in Khulna at 12:00pm on Wednesday.

The surrendered robbers included 16 members of the Boro Jahangir gang, 13 of Anarul, 15 of Afzal alias Dulabhai, eight of Aftab and seven of Mizan gang.

RAB said necessary legal action was taken against them and they were produced before courts.

Following the surrender, RAB continued operations in different parts of the forest and recovered four shotguns, 47 one-shooter guns, four pipe guns, three airguns and a .22-calibre rifle. It also recovered 14 empty cartridges and seven walkie-talkies.

The RAB chief warned those still involved in robbery to surrender and return to normal life, assuring them of maximum assistance.

However, he said those continuing criminal activities would face strict legal action.

“RAB’s zero-tolerance policy will continue to keep the Sundarban free from robbers and ensure the security of hardworking people in the coastal region,” he said.

He also reaffirmed RAB’s commitment to protecting the Sundarban, the lives and livelihoods of forest-dependent people, and the country’s valuable natural resources and biodiversity.

The Sundarban had remained off-limits to tourists and forest-dependent people from June 1 to August 31 to ensure uninterrupted breeding and movement of wildlife and protect biodiversity.

The forest reopened on September 1 for tourists and forest-dependent people, subject to applicable rules and permits.