A 15-day ultimatum has been issued demanding the return of the only crocodile from the historic Dighi of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (RA) shrine in Bagerhat.
The ultimatum was announced at a press conference held under the banner of “people from all walks of life” at the Bagerhat Press Club on Sunday afternoon.
Speakers expressed deep concern and anger over the removal of the crocodile from the shrine pond, saying that local residents were shocked and disappointed by the decision.
Khadem Fakir Tariqul Islam, head of the shrine, read out a written statement at the event, describing the crocodile as an inseparable part of Bagerhat’s history, heritage and cultural identity.
He said the shrine, the Dighi and the crocodile have attracted visitors and devotees from home and abroad for centuries.
The statement said the crocodile was not merely an animal but a symbol of local heritage and a living monument of history.
The speakers also expressed condolences over the death of an eight-year-old girl, Fatema Akter, who was killed in a crocodile attack while bathing in the pond earlier this month.
They argued that the authorities could have ensured safety through fencing, warning systems and proper supervision instead of removing the crocodile.
It was alleged that the decision was made hastily without consulting local people, shrine authorities and other stakeholders.
The press conference noted that the crocodile is part of Bagerhat’s cultural and tourism heritage and demanded its immediate return to the Dighi.
The speakers warned that if the crocodile is not returned within 15 days, they will announce a fresh programme of agitation.
On June 1, Fatema Akter was dragged by a crocodile while bathing at Mahila Ghat of the shrine pond. Her body was recovered the following morning.
Following the incident, the district administration held an emergency meeting and decided to remove the crocodile from the pond in the interest of public safety.
On June 3, a team from the Forest Department rescued the crocodile and transferred it to the Khulna Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centre, where it is currently being kept.
Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner (DC) Golam Md. Baten said that, based on expert advice, a secure enclosure could be constructed in the pond in the future to allow the crocodile’s return.
According to the Sundarbans Division, the crocodile is a female, around 45 years old, weighing about 600 kg and measuring 9 feet 3 inches in length.
Historical records show that freshwater crocodiles have long been part of the shrine’s identity. The pond, known as Thakur Dighi, was excavated by Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (RA) in the 15th century.
The last crocodile pair, popularly known as “Kalapar” and “Dhalapar,” gradually died out, leaving only one crocodile in recent years.
Officials said the crocodile had been part of a conservation effort dating back to 2005, when Bangladesh received freshwater crocodiles from India for breeding and conservation.