Fishermen Attack Forest Offices After Alleged Patrol Killing in Sundarbans

The Sundarbans, a region already fraught with challenges for its fishing communities, has once again become the scene of tragic violence. The death of Aminur Rahman, a fisherman allegedly shot by a Forest Department patrol team, has ignited fury among his peers. This incident, occurring in the ecologically sensitive and often lawless mangrove forest, highlights the volatile relationship between local communities and authorities tasked with its protection.

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At around 10:00am, while preparing to catch crabs at Shatamukhi canal, members of the Forest Department’s Khulna Smart Patrol Team called us over. When we delayed responding to their call, patrol team members opened fire. Aminur was hit and died instantly.

Fishermen, who venture into the Sundarbans for their livelihood, often operate under difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions. The accusation that the Forest Department's patrol team opened fire without provocation, as claimed by fellow fishermen, points to a deep-seated mistrust and a potential pattern of heavy-handedness. The subsequent attack on forest offices by hundreds of enraged fishermen, armed with sticks, demonstrates the extent of their anger and desperation for justice.

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Joint forces are operating in the Sundarbans against bandits. We are checking whose bullets caused the death.

While the Forest Department states the matter is under investigation and that joint forces are operating against bandits, the fishermen's narrative suggests a different reality on the ground. The injured forest staff and the vandalism at the offices underscore the severity of the situation. The arrival of multiple law enforcement agencies, including police, BGB, Coast Guard, and river police, after the incident, raises questions about the initial response and preparedness to manage such a volatile situation. This event is not just a crime; it's a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions in the Sundarbans, where the struggle for resources and justice often turns deadly.

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None of them arrived before the incident. After the attack took place, members of the BGB, river police and Coast Guard reached the spot.