Kolkata: A massive combing operation has been launched inside the core areas of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR) since Sunday, a day after a 59-year-old forest guard was brutally murdered inside the reserve, possibly by a group of pirates from the Bangladesh Sundarbans.
Chief wildlife warden Debal Roy said they have even pressed into service drones to scan the zone where the incident happened on Saturday night.“Cops and BSF are also helping us,” Roy added.
A K Arya, DIG, BSF south Bengal, said the incident took place deep inside the Indian Sundarbans and 31 kilometres from the International Border. Arya added, “Since there’s no communication, we were informed on Sunday. We have already alerted the Border Guard Bangladesh and taken up the matter through Ministry of External Affairs. We have also intensified our patrolling but no movement of any Bangla fishermen could be detected so far.”
The body of victim Amalendu Halder, who was posted at the Netidhopani camp, was found in the Morabani khal inside the core area.
“We were told that the culprits had heavy, sharp weapons like axe and sickle. We were also informed that they took away the rifle that was being carried by the slain forest guard. Since this is the honey collection period, we are also not ruling out the involvement of locals,” said Arya.
According to a forester, one among the three others who managed to escape the attack is undergoing treatment.
Canning SDPO Ram Kumar Mondal said, “No breakthrough has been made yet. A search operation is on but due to the bad weather it’s difficult to execute it. Our officers are yet to speak to the three survivors.”