At least 32 suspected deer poachers have been detained from the Sundarbans during the three days of Ras Puja, after entering the forest disguised as pilgrims.
The Forest Department also seized two trawlers and a large number of deer-hunting traps during the drives.
Officials said the poachers had attempted large-scale deer hunting under the guise of joining the annual Hindu festival held on Dublar Char island in the Bay of Bengal.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said forest guards, police, RAB, Coast Guard, and naval police jointly conducted operations throughout the event.
“Even then, some people entered the forest, hiding their identities. During one such attempt, the hunters attacked forest officials,” he said. “A total of 32 poachers have been detained, and two trawlers and many traps were seized.”
On November 3, forest officials detained a man setting a deer trap. His associates attacked the patrol team, injuring Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Rana Deb. Later, three suspects — Rafi Hasan, 26, Shahid Mallick, 28, and Al Amin Akunji, 27 — were detained and sent to court.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard Media Officer Lt Commander Siam-ul-Haq said a tourist, Sumon Ahmed, 27, was rescued after being swept away by strong tides while bathing at Dublar Char on November 4. He was provided with first aid and handed over to his family.
During the festival, officials also turned back about 100 Muslims who tried to enter the forest disguised as pilgrims, sources said. Environmental activists, meanwhile, expressed concern over the use of large quantities of polythene by pilgrims offering “prasad” in the sea.
Ras Utsab Udjapan Parishad President and Dublar Fishermen Group leader freedom fighter Md Kamal Uddin Ahmed said the festival, held for more than 230 years, concluded peacefully this year due to joint efforts by the Forest Department and law enforcement agencies.
Each year, thousands of Hindu devotees travel to Dublar Char to take a holy bath and offer prayers during Ras Puja. This year’s festival began on November 3 and ended Wednesday morning with devotees performing rituals and prayers at sunrise before returning to their homes.
