Shillong, May 12: In a shocking incident, hundreds of fish including rare giant catfish have been found dead in Khri River, in the western part of Ri Bhoi district, due to alleged pouring of poison in the said river.

As per reports, the incident happened on May 11. However, the news publicly came to light after a video went viral on the internet. In the viral video, a man along with his friends were seen carrying a catfish weighing at around 80kg.

Sources from the police of Patharkhmah Police Outpost said a few individuals from different villages under western Ri Bhoi allegedly poisoned the river by using a local poison called ‘Kharu’ to kill the fish. It was not the traditional hook fishing but fishing using organic poison.

It was also informed that the police team who investigated the matter seized three packets of the poison ‘Kharu’ at the river banks, which is allegedly used for poisoning the river.

Police are investigating the matter, and few local residents have been summoned for questioning.

Rampant fishing through explosion using dynamites and poisoning of rivers has become a cause of serious concern for the people in the State, especially in Ri Bhoi district. This dangerous and illegal act of fishing poses a severe threat to the river ecosystem. Though an easy method to catch fish from the river, poisoning of river and blast fishing highly contributes to the destruction of aquatic animals and plants in the riverbed.