A large crocodile, weighing around 200-Kg, was found in remote Raypur Char Ghasia area of Lakshmipur district. Locals handed over the crocodile to the administration and forest department on Thursday.
Locals claimed that the rescued crocodile bit a fisherman named Babul. Later, he took treatment locally. Besides, another crocodile was spotted around 20 days ago. However, that crocodile was smaller in size. Locals were panicked as crocodiles were seen frequently.
Shah Alam Majhi, resident of Char Ghasia, said the crocodile was caught from my house. It came to our house on early Wednesday. Later, it swam to a pond adjacent to my house. It was in the pond all day. We were very panicked. Locals took initiative to catch the crocodile when they were informed about it. The crocodile returned to eat our chicken and ducks at night. On that time, we, with the help of the locals, caught the crocodile.
Mobarak Mia said Meghna River is just two kilometers away from the spot. The crocodile might have come to our area from the Sundarbans. Later, it might come to the spot crossing the croplands of the Char area.
Siraj Mia, the catcher of the crocodile, said I caught and tied the crocodile with the help of the people. Later, it was taken by the Forest Department.
Firefighter of Raypur Fire Service, Abul Kalam Azad, said locals caught the crocodile. Following the instruction of the Upazila Administration, we rescued the crocodile and handed it over to the Forest Department.
Raypur Upazila Forest Department Range Assistant Motiur Rahman Shohag said the crocodile might have come to this area in search of water as the floodwater increased. However, it is uncertain that it came from which area.
We have taken the crocodile to our safekeeping. It will be sent to the district office. The next step will be taken following the instruction of the higher authority.