6 spotted deer killed in a day, death threat to forest guards

At least 25 spotted deer have been killed by poachers in the last one month, according to Swarankhola Range Officer SM Shoiab Khan.

Two dingi boats and nine nets were also recovered along with the six slaughtered deer, which suggests that the poachers, after killing the deer, fled away during an operation by forest guards, he said.

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The operation was led by Shupati Forest Station Officer Mohammed Hafizur Rahman.

There are three organised gangs of poachers in the Swarankhola Range, other sources said.

One of the gangs is led by Mizan of Burhiakhali village under Swarankhola upazill and the two others by Kanchan and Kahim Malliek of Blandaria upazila in Pirojpur district.

Shoiab said poachers frequently enter the Sundarbans with illegal arms. They kill deer and tigers indiscriminately in connivance with some local people and dishonest forest department employees.

The meat of the slaughtered deer was sold in auction for Tk 6,500 and the money would be deposited with the government department, he said.

Meanwhile, ringleader of notorious terrorist gang 'Razzak Bhini'-- Razzak Sarder in a letter to Shoaib threatened to loot arms from guards in the Swarankhola Range.

The handwritten letter said, "All rifles will be looted from forest guards if they stand in the way of dacoity and piracy in the Sundarbans".

Shoiab said the 'Razzak Bahini' comprises 40 armed men who, along with some Indian pirates, are committing heinous crimes in the Sundarbans for the last two years.

The threat has created panic among forest guards in all ranges in the Sundarbans, he said. All forest officials and guards have been put on high alert and they are determined to face the terrorists with courage, he said.