Fisherman shot dead in Sundarbans: Cases under process, says police

The Forest Department along with family members are preparing to file separate cases over the death of a fisherman in a shooting incident at the Sundarbans, police officials said today (19 May).

Local fishermen alleged that Aminur Rahman, a fisherman from Gabura in Satkhira, was shot dead by Nalian Station Officer Mobarak Ali under the Khulna Range of the West Sundarbans Forest Division.

The deceased, Aminur Rahman, was the son of Akched Gazi of No 9 Sora village in Gabura union of Shyamnagar upazila.

Police recovered the body and sent it to Satkhira Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy, police said.

Koyra Police Station Officer-in-Charge said the victim's family had also mentioned they would file a case with the police station, although no formal complaint had yet been submitted. He added that the Forest Department had also informed the police of plans to file a separate case.

Separately, the officer-in-charge of Shyamnagar Police Station said the Forest Department had informed police that a case would be filed over the vandalism of forest offices. No case had yet been lodged as of today.

Speaking to reporters this morning, Imran Ahmed, conservator of forests for the Khulna Region, said that a "Smart Patrol Team" spotted two boats yesterday afternoon in the restricted sanctuary area of the Patkosta patrol outpost. They were allegedly preparing to catch fish using poison.

"As the patrol team approached, the fishermen fled to the shore. When our team tried to seize their boats, the fishermen began hurling verbal abuse and launched a violent attack on the patrol members with oars, machetes, and axes," Imran Ahmed said.

The Conservator further claimed that the fishermen attempted to snatch a Chinese rifle from the patrol team, triggering a chaotic scuffle.

During the altercation, the rifle was struck with an axe and an oar, causing it to break and discharge a bullet that hit one of the fishermen.

He said the injured fisherman later died from excessive bleeding while being taken to Gabura.

Imran Ahmed also alleged that after news of the incident spread, a group of "unruly locals" vandalised and set fire to the Satkhira Range Office and the Burigoalini Forest Station in Gabura. Forest officials and employees stationed there were also assaulted, he added.

He said the officer-in-charge of the smart patrol team was preparing to file a case with Koyra Police Station over the incident.

Meanwhile, Divisional Forest Officer of the West Sundarbans AZM Hasanur Rahman said several people involved in the vandalism had already been identified through video footage and legal action would be taken against them.