3 arrested with 697 slaughtered birds in Chattogram
The arrestees – Md Syedul Alam, 60, Md Idris, 65, and Md Sohel, 30 – hail from different areas of Shovandondi Union of Patiya upazila
Police arrested three individuals over illegal hunting and transporting of a large number of birds from the Ichamati River in Chattogram's Anwara upazila on Tuesday night.
A total of 697 birds, including 135 common mynas (Shalik), 422 sparrows (Chorui), and 140 weaver birds (Babui), were found slaughtered. The birds were being readied for sale to restaurants, disguised as quails, according to the police.
The arrestees – Md Syedul Alam, 60, Md Idris, 65, and Md Sohel, 30 – hail from different areas of Shovandondi Union of Patiya upazila.
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Confirming their arrest, Anwara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Monir Hossain told The Business Standard today (5 March) that the Ichhamati River bank is surrounded by vast croplands, drawing thousands of birds in search of food.
"The arrestees caught the birds by setting up traps across the fields. They slaughtered the birds, plucked their feathers using hot water, and sold them to restaurants as quail meat," he said.
"Acting on a tip-off, we set up a checkpoint in the sadar upazila area and intercepted a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw. During the inspection, we found two sacks containing dead birds and arrested three individuals, including the driver," OC Monir added.
After that, the detainees were charged under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012 and have been produced before a Chattogram court.
The OC further said, "The recovered birds are still in our custody but are decomposing. We have consulted the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division of the Forest Department for guidance on the matter."
Dipannita Bhattacharjee, wildlife and biodiversity conservation officer of Chattogram, emphasised the ecological importance of local wild birds.
"They are vital for pest control, agriculture, and pollination. Hunting large numbers of these birds threatens the area's biodiversity," she said.
She also criticised the current legal framework, calling for stricter enforcement.
"Killing 697 birds is a brutal crime, but due to legal loopholes, the perpetrators will likely be granted bail. Wildlife trafficking is a non-cognizable offense, allowing criminals to go unpunished and repeat their actions," she added.
