Leopard cat beaten to death in Sunamganj in front of forest official

A leopard cat was beaten to death by locals in Sunamganj's Jagannathpur municipality area, even as a forest department official was present at the scene. The incident occurred on Saturday (July 25) afternoon at the residence of the late Abdul Ahad Chowdhury in the Shilimpur area.

Locals alleged that the forest department's negligence and failure to take prompt action led the agitated crowd to kill the animal.

According to residents and eyewitnesses, caretaker Firoz Mia spotted the leopard cat in a mango tree in the courtyard around 9am on Saturday. News spread quickly, causing panic in the area and drawing crowds of curious onlookers.

Upon receiving the information, a team led by Sunamganj district forest department in-charge (Forester) Md Anisur Rahman and Jagannathpur Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Anik Ray reached the spot around 12pm.

Police moved the crowd to a safe distance, but locals alleged that the forest department took no effective initiative to rescue the animal. They claimed that instead of bringing necessary equipment for the rescue operation, the forest official arrived with only a jute bag, which angered those present.

Later, following the intervention of the Upazila Executive Officer, the fire service was informed. A fire service team arrived around 3:30pm and, with the help of locals, brought the leopard cat down from the tree.

Once on the ground, the animal attempted to flee, prompting a section of the crowd to attack it with sticks and bamboo poles. The leopard cat died on the spot.

Safroz Islam, a resident of Bhabanipur village and former panel mayor of Jagannathpur municipality, said it was deeply saddening that a wild animal met such a cruel death due to the forest department's irresponsibility.