Bangladesh, Nov. 1 -- A human chain was held in Ramzanagar Union under Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, demanding that the Sundarbans be freed from forest bandits and security be ensured for fishermen and forest-dependent workers.

Thousands of fishermen, bawalis (forest resource collectors) and local residents took part in the programme at the Vetkhali-Kaikhali Madar River Bridge on Saturday.

Speakers at the human chain said the Sundarbans was one of the main sources of livelihood for coastal communities.

Thousands of families depend on fishing, crab collection and gathering forest resources for their survival.

However, their normal lives have been disrupted by the activities of forest bandits, including abductions and ransom demands....