Photo: BSS

KHULNA, July 4, 2026 (BSS) - Forest guards arrested four alleged deer poachers in the eastern Sundarbans early Saturday and seized deer traps, a fishing boat, around 100 kilograms of crabs and banned crab-catching gear.

The arrests were made around 3 am during a joint operation by forest guards from the Chandpai Forest Station and Andharmanik Ecotourism Centre at the Mrigamari canal following a tip-off, officials said.

Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Chandpai Range Dipon Chandra Das said the suspects were caught while allegedly attempting to hunt deer inside the protected forest.

During a search of their boat, forest guards recovered a 300-foot deer snare, about 100 kilograms of crabs stored in seven baskets, 50 banned crab-catching traps locally known as charu and other equipment allegedly used for poaching.

The arrestees were identified as Farid Hawlader, 30, Ataur Khan, 28, Mojam Jomaddar, 29 and Ruhul Jomaddar, 30, all from South Chila village in Mongla upazila.

Divisional Forest Officer of the Sundarbans East Forest Division in Bagerhat, Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, said a three-month fishing ban is currently in force in the Sundarbans. Despite the restriction, the four allegedly entered the forest illegally, attempted to hunt deer and harvested crabs.

He also said Farid Hawlader is an alleged repeat offender facing multiple forest-related cases and had resumed poaching after securing bail in earlier cases.

Cases have been filed against the four under the relevant laws, and they were produced before a Bagerhat court, the DFO added.