Poachers killed a number of deer at Dublar Char area of the Sundarbans during the Rashmela Hindu festical in the last three days, despite various preventive measures taken by the Forest Department and the law enforcement agencies including Coastguard.
In a drive on Friday midnight, a special team of West Forest Department of Sundarban arrested 27 poachers from Patkusta and Kalirchar area under Nalian Forest Station in Dakop upazil. They also seized 15kg of venison along with two trawlers.
Assistant Forest Conservator of West Forest Department in Sundarban Md. Towfikul Islam told BSS that forest guards conducted a drive in the area and arrested the poachers, who had sneaked into the Sundarbans in the guise of pilgrims to attend the Rash Mela.
They are alleged to have entered the forest about a week before the commencement of the Rashmela, he said adding that the arrested were sent to the jail on Saturday while the venison was distributed among the destitute.
A case was filed with Dakop Police Station in this connection yesterday.
Sources said some poachers who moved to the forest in mechant trawlers and boats carried necessary implements such as knives, axes, machetes, saws and plastic cords to make traps to catch the deer live and kill them. The poachers also allegedly destroyed a number of trees.
The three day-long ‘Rashmela’, a traditional fair and Rash Purnima bath (Sea bath) of the Hindu community, began from November 15 at Dublar char in the Sundarbans. Rashmela is one of the main festivals of the members of Hindu community.
Hundreds of people from far-flung areas of the adjoining districts of the Sundarbans gathered at Dublar char to attend the fair.
Earlier, West Zone Forest Department of the Sundarbans selected eight routes for the Rashmela pilgrims and viewers.
Additional forces of the law enforcement agencies including Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard and Police were also deployed, and check posts were set up at all routes for the safety of pilgrims and viewers.