Officials of the Forest Department today confirmed that the incident took place in Chattogram’s Mirsarai coastal area on April 11.The six-second video, which spread on Tuesday, shows a man pinning down a deer beside a waterbody while another attempts to slit its throat with a machete. A third person is seen standing nearby.
According to local sources, the incident occurred in the Muhuri Project area under Ichakhali union of Mirsarai upazila, near the National Special Economic Zone.The video drew sharp criticism. Many demanded immediate arrest and punishment of those involved.
Forest officials said the coastal belt of Mirsarai once had around 20 km of mangrove forest, which served as a habitat for thousands of deer, as well as snakes, foxes, mongooses, fishing cats, and numerous bird species.
However, large-scale deforestation began after the establishment of the national special economic zone in the area.As a result, wildlife has been gradually disappearing. Some deer are still believed to exist within and around the acquired land for the industrial zone.
Officials suspect the slaughtered deer had strayed from its group.
Shahenshah Nawshad, an officer of the Coastal Forest Division in Mirsarai, told The Daily Star that the video has drawn their attention.
“We have initially confirmed that three perpetrators were involved in the incident. A drive is underway to arrest them,” he said, adding that the suspects are believed to be workers at nearby fishing farms.
