Barguna, Oct 01 (V7N) – Over the past three decades, 188 fishermen from the coastal region of Patharghata in Barguna have gone missing while fishing in the sea, falling victim to devastating natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and tsunamis. The fishermen, who rely on the sea for their livelihoods, have faced perilous conditions, leading to countless tragedies. According to upazila administration data, the missing fishermen have disappeared due to catastrophic events including the 1993 floods, Cyclone Sidr in 2007, Cyclone Nargis in 2008, Cyclone Aila in 2009, and other natural calamities.

The worst year was 2007, when Cyclone Sidr alone claimed 91 fishermen. Families have been grappling with the loss of their loved ones and the ensuing complications. Without death certificates for the missing, many face bureaucratic hurdles, unable to sell family land or receive government widow allowances.

Zabeda, the mother of fisherman Harun Sardar, who went missing in 1993, shared her struggles: “My son’s trawler sank in a storm, and we have never heard from him since. His wife left two months later, leaving their two children in my care. I have received no government aid in the 30 years since he disappeared.”

Similarly, Rani Begum of Charduani lost her husband and two sons in 2014. She said, “I don’t know if they are alive or dead. My sons’ wives left, and I raised my daughter by working in other people’s homes. The government aid I received was only 2,000 taka and 5 kg of rice.”

Patharghata Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer, Jayant Kumar Apu, acknowledged the challenges and stated, “We’ve provided 50,000 taka in aid to families of those missing for over six months. We are in talks to ensure further support.”

Additionally, Patharghata Upazila Executive Officer, Roknuzzaman Khan, revealed that a mural has been erected at the Upazila Parishad to commemorate the missing fishermen. Proposals have been made to provide ration and financial assistance, along with certificates to allow families to sell land, to the Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Resources.

The tragedy underscores the hardships faced by the fishing community, as families continue to cope with the loss of their loved ones while navigating a maze of bureaucratic challenges.

END/MR/AJ