Bangladeshi and Indian pirates are posing a serious problem for fishermen of both countries who are being abducted along with their trawlers and released only after they pay a hefty ransom.

It is not the predators like the Royal Bengal Tigers and crocodiles but the Pirates of Khulna from Bangladesh, who are making life miserable for Bengal's fishermen in the Indian waters of the world famous Sunderbans during the peak fishing season.

"This is the season for hilsa fish. This is the time when boats enter the creeks and channels of Sunderbans to catch fish. And this is also the time when the pirates become hyperactive. The state government must save our fishermen from these sea dacoits," said Tejendralal Das, president of Dakshin Banga Matsyajibi Forum.

Last year, many fishermen netting in the creeks, channels and rivers on the Indo-Bangladesh border waters in Sunderbans along the Bay of Bengal were killed, kidnapped, tortured and their boats looted by the pirates of Khulna and Jessore.

These pirates also poach wildlife, fell trees for timber, steal wood and camp in the forests of Sunderbans on the Indian side.

In February, Bangladeshi sea pirates assaulted Indian fishermen when they unintentionally entered Bangladesh waters through Raimangal River. The pirates killed four fishermen,injured eight, abducted 11 and captured their boat.

The fishermen complained that the pirates attack frequently but India's eastern state government of West Bengal has taken no preventive measures.

National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) and Dakshin Banga Matsyajibi Forum (DMF) have already sent memorandums to chief minister Mamata Banerjee demanding that the government take action against the pirates and equip the fishermen so that they can fight back.

"Pirates target non-mechanized boats. Last season, they attacked our fishermen seven times. Fishing in Sunderbans is becoming dangerous," said NFF secretary Pradip Chatterjee.

Chatterjee said the Bangladeshi pirates are a threat to national security. "Surveillance in the Indo-Bangla water border in Sunderbans is poor. Coast Guard and Navy are lax in patrolling in the Bay of Bengal," he said.

Pirates of Khulna and Jessore violate the Marine Fishing Regulation Act and enter within 20 km of India's coastal zone and attack Indian fishermen. These pirates use trawlers to sail from Khulna and Jessore and move in the creeks of Sunderbans up till the Lower Sand with the help of boats. The pirate vessels carry a crew of 20 to 25.

"Pirates have no fixed time of operation. They strike whenever it is convenient to nab a boat or a trawler," said DMF president Tejendralal Das.

He said that the brackish waters of Bay of Bengal in the Sunderbans is a huge catchment area for hilsa, pomfret, crab,prawn and bhola fish. When Indian fishermen sail back after fishing, the pirates attack and seize their catch.

To get relief from the sea pirates, South Bengal Fishermen's Forum wants installation of more Coastal Police and Guard stations (floating if necessary) along the national border and the coast in the Sunderbans.

"Coastal police stations at Faizarganj, Baghmara and Netadupani are operational. Two others will come up at Kakdwip and Digha," said Tejendralal Das. "These stations should have speed boats and other equipment to tackle the Bangladeshi sea pirates."

Both NFF and DMF agree that Indian boats infiltrate into Bangladesh waters unknowingly and are caught by their coastal police. Lacking proper communication and signal systems in their vessels, Indian fishermen often land into Bangladesh waters.