Crocodile Caught on Fishing Hook in the Padma River

A crocodile was caught on a fishing hook in the Padma River in the Char Bhadrasan Upazila of Faridpur, on Monday.

The incident occurred around 7:00 AM at the Kazibari Ghat area of the Upazila's Sadar Union. Local residents crowded the ghat area to catch a glimpse of the reptile, leading to a spread of panic throughout the locality.

Padma is not a habitat for the crocs and that getting one coincides with a recent Indian declaration that they would like to secure border by releasing crocodiles and snakes in the bodering rivers.

Fisherman Sheikh Elias reported that he and several other local fishermen were fishing in the river using hooks. Suddenly, the crocodile became snagged on one of their lines. They later pulled it in and brought it to the bank after securing it with rope.

He further noted that while rescuing the crocodile, two other large crocodiles were spotted on the west side of the ghat, which has heightened the sense of fear among the villagers.

Char Bhadrasan Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Suraiya Momtaz stated, "As soon as we learned of the incident, we contacted the Forest Department. Wildlife conservation officials will arrive to rescue the crocodile and relocate it to a safe habitat."

AI adds: Recent reports from April 2026 indicate that the Indian government is exploring the feasibility of using snakes and crocodiles as a natural deterrent along unfenced, riverine sections of the border with Bangladesh.

While there is no official confirmation that a mass release has already begun, several key details have emerged:

Timeline of Discussions: The proposal reportedly stemmed from a March 20, 2026, meeting at the BSF (Border Security Force) headquarters in New Delhi, following a directive from the Union Home Ministry.
Target Areas: The plan focuses on approximately 175 km of the 4,096 km border that consists of rivers and marshy terrain (such as parts of the Sundarbans) where physical fencing is technically impossible or ineffective.

The Rationale: The strategy is viewed as a "natural deterrent" to curb smuggling and unauthorized crossings in treacherous terrains where traditional patrolling is difficult.

Current Status: As of late April 2026, the BSF is reportedly divided over the plan. While field units have been asked to identify suitable stretches for such a deployment, many senior officials have criticized the idea as "archaic" and "silly," citing grave safety risks to civilians living in border villages on both sides.

(AI part of the story could not be verified by Agamir Somoy)