SA VAR. Dec 31: Three businessmen were killed in at least 250 river dacoities on the Padma and the Jamuna during the last year within Manikganj, Rajbari. Pabna and Sirajganj district areas, police and local people said, reports UNB.

The sources said the pirates looted valuable worth over Tk 3 crore including cash one crore from different businessmen during the period. Nearly 200 people sustained serious injuries in these incidents.

Most of the incidents of robbery took place in the areas under Harirampur. Shibalaya and Daulatpur thanas of Manikganj. Goalanda of Rajbari. Bera of Pabna and Kazipur of Sirajganj districts.

Police said an organised gang of dacoits are active in the area creating serious problems for the businessmen who use river routes for transportation of their goods.

The businessmen normally use country boat to transport various goods including rice, paddy, vegetables, spices, stationary goods and construction materials. The sources said these boats are vulnerable to dacoities due to its slow-moving

The law enforcement agencies failed to take effective measures to stop the incidents;of river dacoity. the vk tuns and local people complained. "