Fisherman shot dead in Sundarbans, vandalism at Forest Office

A fisherman was shot dead while fishing for crabs in the Sundarbans. Locals filed a complaint against the Forest Department staff and attacked the office. Five forest workers were injured in the incident.

The incident took place in the Shatmukhi Canal area of ​​Khulna Range, said Shyamnagar Police Station OC Khaledur Rahman on Monday morning.

The deceased fisherman, Aminur Rahman, 45, is a resident of Sora area number 9 of Gabura Union in Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira.

Eyewitness fishermen claim that they were preparing to fish for crabs in the Shatmukhi Canal in the morning. At that time, the Khulna Smart Patrol team of the Forest Department gave a signal targeting their boat. They alleged that the forest workers opened fire when the fishermen did not immediately approach. Aminur Rahman was shot and died on the spot.

The incident sparked anger among the locals and they attacked the forest department office. Forester Sheikh Md. Faruk Ahmed, FG Md. Mejbaul Islam, FG Faizur Rahman, FG Azadul Islam and outsourcing worker Ekhlasur Rahman were injured. The injured have been sent to Satkhira Medical College Hospital, said Mashiur Rahman, Assistant Forest Conservation Officer of Sundarban Satkhira Range.

Gabura Union Parishad Chairman Masudul Alam said that the incident has been reported to the Khulna Divisional Forest Officer, Satkhira Assistant Conservator of Forests, Shyamnagar UNO and the local police station. The concerned authorities have assured him that necessary legal action will be taken against those involved through a proper investigation. The locals have demanded a fair investigation into the incident and punishment of the culprits.