Once known for his involvement in Sundarbans’ outlaw gangs, Alam Sardar of Munshiganj’s Munshiganj Bazar has now firmly turned his back on a life of crime. Riding an easy bike through local roads, the 44-year-old supports his wife and three children entirely from his new livelihood, far from the forest he once roamed.
Alam recounts the pull of the outlaw life and why he ultimately rejected it. “Many of those who surrendered have returned to banditry. They called me repeatedly, asking me to join again. But I told them clearly—I will never go back. I find peace running my family on this easy bike,” he said.
A Life Shaped by Hardship
Born into hardship, Alam lost his parents when he was just three months old and was raised by his grandmother. From an early age, he accompanied his uncle into the Sundarbans to catch fish and crabs. With no chance for formal education, Alam was forced to marry at a young age after his uncle passed away, struggling to feed his family.
Tempted by local bandits promising quick money, Alam joined a gang in 2008. But he quickly realized that the constant extortion of local fishermen, the ever-present danger, and the life of fear in the forest were not for him. After six months, he left the Sundarbans and started afresh in Benapole, Jessore, selling cotton and trying to rebuild his life.
Harassment and False Charges
Even after leaving, Alam faced challenges. “An arms dealer called me, pressuring me to return to the forest. I refused. That same day, RAB arrested me, interrogating me about weapons and filing a case. I spent 11 months in jail under harsh conditions and had to undergo surgery,” he recalled.
When news came of a shootout between rival Sundarbans gangs in which a fisherman was killed, Alam’s name was also included in the case—even though he was sick at home. Forced into hiding, he eventually crossed into India, waiting for the government’s rehabilitation program for surrendered bandits.
A New Life Begins
Encouraged by the surrender program, Alam returned to the Sundarbans in 2016 to help others submit themselves. On May 8, 2016, 14 former gang members surrendered 20 firearms and 1,008 rounds of ammunition. Alam used the one lakh taka provided by the government to purchase a second-hand easy bike, marking the start of his new life.
Today, Alam drives across Munshiganj, Nawabeki, Burigoalini, and Shyamnagar to earn a living, fully supporting his family. Recently acquitted in his pending cases, Alam reflects, “I don’t want to go back to my old life. This easy bike is my security and my peace. This is the path I choose for my family and myself.”
Source: Prothom Alo
