CHANDPUR. Dec 11: Cash and valuables worth one lakh taka were looted and 30 passengers sustained injuries when a gang of pirates swooped on a launch in the river Meghna on Monday, savs UNB.

Police sources said, the Chandpur-bound launch M V Trina with 170 passengers was coming from Narayanganj. When it reached near Shanto. about 25 kins north of Chandpur. the pirates numbering 20 to 22. who were travelling in the guise of passengers, forced the.Sareng to drive the vessel towards Char Gazaria of Munshiganj.

When the launched reached the area, the dacoits beat the passengers indiscriminately and decamped with the booty.

Meanwhile, the three passengers. who jumped into the river for fear of life, are still missing.

Two critically wounded passengers were admitted to Chandpur sadar hospital. A case was filed with the police.