Delwar Kabir, Jhenaidah:

A section of crazy youths in Satgachhi village of Shailkupa municipality in Jhenadah district killed a kitten of endangered fishing cat (mechhobagh) on Thursday noon violating wildlife preservation act without any resistance that creates anger among the environmentalists and foresters.

Later the villagers enjoy the matter carrying the body of the cat throughout the village.

Locals said, a kitten of endangered fishing cat received injury when a farmer harvesting paddy from a field nearby the village. Hearing the news, a section of youths gathered at the place and started playing with the cat after catching that.

At one stage, the kitten got annoyed and tried to chase and attack the irritators to get rid from their hands. But, the youths beat it to dead mercilessly and paraded the roads of the village taking the body of fishing cat.

A local newsman Jafrul Islam Shimul said, he rushed to the spot hearing the news of detaining the fishing cat. But, the youths had killed the endangered animal brutally before his arrival. Later, they showed their “heroism” by marching roads of the village taking the body of that fishing cat on their shoulder.

While contacted over cell phone, Shailkupaupazila Forest Officer Moklesur Rahman said, “I am now out of my station. I however, have asked my subordinate to visit the spot and report me over the matter. Action would be taken against the killers of wildlife according to the rules.”

Eminent environmentalist and human rights activist Advocate Sujan Biplab said, “There are many allegations of killing huge number of wild animals including crocodiles, shushuk, guishap and fishing cats by the villagers in the district. But, the authorities concerned are plying silent role in this connection.  The government should take legal action against the destroyers of wildlife to protect our nature and environment from ruination. Otherwise, we will loss livable environment in the country.”