Crocodile earlier dragged 2 people into shrine's pond

Maryam, aged 55, who exhibited the signs of mental instability, used to reside in the Mazar Sharif of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (R.A.) located in Bagerhat. Her work involved cleaning tasks in that area. Additionally, she would visit houses throughout the village of Dighirpar, which is adjacent to the shrine. This was the routine of her life prior to the tragic incident that occurred nearly ten years ago.

One morning, while she was washing dishes in the pond at the Khan Jahan Ali shrine, a crocodile unexpectedly emerged and pulled her into the depths of the water. After some time, Maryam's lifeless body surfaced in the pond, with the crocodile nearby.

Another incident transpired approximately three years ago. A teenager visited the shrine's pond with his mother. At one moment, as he entered the water, a crocodile suddenly seized his leg. When the boy cried out, his mother attempted to rescue him, but was unable to do so. The crocodile dragged him into the deep water. Subsequently, similar to Maryam, the teenager's body was later found floating in the pond, with the crocodile seen beside him. Some local inhabitants reported that Maryam hailed from Bagmara village in Bagerhat, while the deceased teenager was from the Fatehpur Bazar area.

Nevertheless, these incidents were concealed by the shrine's caretakers. They expressed concerns that disclosing this information could jeopardize the business surrounding the crocodile at the shrine. Consequently, the incidents were kept under wraps due to this apprehension.

The crocodile incident in the pond gained attention on April 8, when a video depicting an injured dog being dragged from the pond's bank went viral on social media, inciting widespread criticism.

Residents assert that the dog had previously bitten several individuals. At one point, when it attempted to bite the shrine's security guard, Forkan, he kicked it, causing the dog to fall into the pond. It was at that moment that the crocodile seized it and pulled it further into the depths. Later, the dog's body was discovered floating in the water.

To ascertain the precise events that transpired regarding the dog that day, it is essential to review the CCTV footage. Locals believe that this will reveal the accurate account of the incident.

However, the head of the investigation committee and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) in the dog's death incident, Atia Khatun, said that detailed information will be presented in the investigation report.