Forests and bandits
Photo: Sheikh Hasan / Driknews
It is now an open secret that poaching of deer has become a day to day business of some goons of the Sundarbans area. Who are they, where do they live, what is their source of protection, everybody in the local area knows it all. Thanks to the reporter and The Daily Star for unfurling the story on the poaching, though partial, yet. (The Daily Star: 04.11.09) But who will take action against them? If you want to get venison or hide you need not go into the jungle, just ask the villagers near the Sundarbans, they will tell you the names who can arrange it for you in lieu of money. Having the familiarity of their mischief they are doing brisk business in public. There are even groups who used to go to the Sundarbans or arrange hunting on frequent schedule to poach deer, its skin and venison. The groups of dacoits who live inside the forests are also big killers of deer. I would like to request you to run a story on the people who are a great threat to the local wood cutters (locally called Bawalis), honey collectors and fishermen. The thugs live inside the forest, extort the bawalis and collect ransom frequently from abductions, and kill deer for their sustenance. But ask the law enforcing agencies including the forest officials they will pretend that they know nothing of the offence or the offenders. Actually, lawlessness in and around the Sundarbans are mainly responsible for the poaching while the staff and officials of the forests fan the offence for their own gains. It's a profitable regular business of some people run with the help of some local goons and political elements. The reporter should unearth the full story which is more horrendous than even a fiction.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments