A brazen attempt to deceive consumers has caused a sensation in Chatmohar Upazila, Pabna, after a local butcher was caught trying to sell fox meat disguised as mutton. The incident occurred at the Haripur Market, where the suspect, identified as Ashraful Islam, attempted to capitalise on the high price of goat meat by substituting it with a wild predator he had trapped earlier that day.
A Calculated Deception Unravels
The suspect, the son of a local butcher from Afzalpara village, reportedly set a snare near his home to capture a wild fox. After slaughtering the animal, he transported the meat to the busy Haripur Market on Tuesday afternoon. Using his professional background to lend credibility, he began offering the meat to shoppers as fresh “Khasi” (mutton).
However, the ruse was short-lived. Discerning customers and fellow traders noticed that the flesh was an unnaturally deep shade of red, far removed from the typical appearance of goat meat. When confronted by a suspicious crowd, Ashraful’s story crumbled. He eventually admitted that the carcass was not a goat, but a fox he had caught in a trap.
Official Intervention and Disposal
As news of the fraud spread, the atmosphere in the market turned tense. Ashraful managed to escape the scene before the authorities arrived and has since gone into hiding. Dr Swapan Kumar Sarkar, the Upazila Livestock Officer, visited the site to verify the nature of the meat. Following his confirmation that the produce was indeed fox, the authorities took swift action to protect public health.
Incident Overview: The Haripur Deception
| Event Component | Information |
| Suspect | Ashraful Islam (Alleged drug addict) |
| Location | Haripur Market, Pabna |
| Original Species | Wild Fox |
| Marketed As | Khasi (Mutton) |
| Detection Method | Visual inspection of meat colour |
| Legal Status | Suspect at large; case pending |
| Health Measures | Meat buried under official supervision |
Legal Consequences and Market Oversight
Golam Sarwar Hossain, the Officer-in-Charge of Chatmohar Police Station, confirmed that a regular case is being filed against the fugitive butcher. The police are currently conducting raids to apprehend Ashraful, whose actions have been widely condemned by the local community.
The Livestock Department has emphasised the health risks associated with consuming meat from wild scavengers, which can carry various pathogens. This incident has prompted calls for stricter oversight of meat vendors in rural markets to ensure that such a “chilling” attempt to compromise food safety is never repeated. The confiscated meat was buried deep underground to ensure it could not be salvaged or enter the food chain through other means.