Woman killed by crocodile in Sundarbans

A woman named Selina Begum, 41, was killed after being attacked by a crocodile while collecting fish fry (renu pona) in the Shela River in the Sundarbans.

The deceased was the wife of Abul Sheikh of Joymoni village under Mongla Upazila in Bagerhat district.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon (June 17), according to a delayed report received here.

According to local residents and the Forest Department, Selina Begum went to collect fish fry in the Shela River within the Chandpai Range of the Eastern Sundarbans Division in Bagerhat at around 5:30 pm on Wednesday.

At one stage, while collecting fish fry, a crocodile attacked Selina and bit her on the leg, attempting to drag her into the river.

Two other women who were collecting fish fry with her immediately began striking the crocodile with the wooden handles of their fishing nets.

A struggle between the women and the crocodile continued for several minutes, and they eventually managed to rescue Selina from the animal’s jaws. However, she had already succumbed to her injuries.

Confirming the incident, Depan Chandra Das, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) and Range Officer of Chandpai, said that fishing in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans is currently prohibited.

He said some residents of areas adjacent to the Sundarbans defy the ban and enter the forest to collect fish fry, often evading the surveillance of the Forest Department.