Case filed against 9 people for feasting on migratory birds

The Forest Department today filed a case against nine people in Moulvibazar after a Facebook post showing them feasting allegedly on 'Balihash', a kind of migratory bird, went viral on social media.

Moulvibazar Sadar's Forest Range Officer Golam Sarwar filed the complaint against Anaf Shahriar of Kamarkandi village, Mahbub Ahmed Sumon of Mirsangkar village and seven unnamed individuals with Kulaura Police Station today under section 34 (b) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Act, 2012, reports our Moulvibazar correspondent.

According to the case, nine to ten youths living in Kulaura upazila published pictures on social media and wrote, "Today's arrangement with balihash in Hakaluki Haor".

Following the post, environmentalists on social media protested the matter and demanded strict action against the group.

Officer-in-Charge of Kulaura Police Station Abdus Salek said, "We have received a written complaint from the Wildlife Department. The complaint was recorded as a case. Legal action will be taken in this regard subject to investigation."

On Friday, businessman Mahbub Ahmed Sumon and Anaf Shariar along with nine to 10 people organised a picnic at Hakaluki Haor where they claimed that they feasted on migratory birds. Later, they shared pictures and videos of the picnic on Facebook, which recieved criticism from netizens and environmentalists.