Bagerhat authorities decide relocating shrine pond crocodile to Sundarbans breeding center following fatal child attack incident. Photo : BSS

 BAGERHAT, June 3, 2026 (BSS) - The district administration has decided to shift the crocodile in the pond adjacent to the historic Hazrat Khanjahan Ali (RA) shrine in Bagerhat to the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center in the Sundarbans. 

The decision was taken in an emergency meeting held late Tuesday night to ensure the safety of local and foreign visitors and devotees visiting the shrine.

The meeting held at the Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner's conference room at 10 pm on Tuesday was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten. The meeting was attended by officials from various departments including the district administration, police administration, forest department and others. 

After the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten said that the shrine area visitors' safety has been considered with utmost importance after the recent tragic incident.

 After reviewing the situation, it has been decided to transfer the crocodile from the pond to the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center. At the same time, initiatives have been taken to strengthen security measures and increase surveillance in the shrine area. 

Bagerhat East Sundarbans Divisional Forest Officer Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said that a team of experts from Khulna will come to Bagerhat on Wednesday to transfer the crocodile. The team will observe the behavior and location of the crocodile and determine the capture strategy, transfer time and necessary technical issues.

It is worth noting that 8-year-old Fatema Akhter was attacked by a crocodile while taking a bath in the pond adjacent to the shrine at around 8 pm on Monday. According to eyewitnesses, the crocodile grabbed the child's leg and dragged her under the water. Later, her body was recovered from the women's ghat area of the pond adjacent to the shrine early Tuesday.

After this heartbreaking incident, concern spread among local residents, visitors and devotees. They demanded to strengthen security in the shrine area and remove the crocodile quickly. Considering the panic and security risks created in the public mind, the district administration has decided to relocate the crocodile. 

People of Bagerhat welcomed the district administration for the important decision.