Three bird hunters, held with wild birds at Agdigha village in Natore Sadar upazila, were sentenced to jail on Friday evening.

Shariul Islam, 40, Ariful Islam, 38, and Jahid Hossain, 18, from Dastonabad area of the same upazila, hunted about 27 wild birds of different species with their air-guns. Locals of the area, who are also members of Agdigha Bitarkadhara, a social organisation, witnessed the crime and caught the hunters red-handed. They then informed the district administration.

Later, a mobile court led by executive magistrate Nazmul Alam rushed to the spot. After confessing before the court, Shariul and Ariful were sentenced to six months imprisonment and Jahid to one month imprisonment, considering his age.

All 27 dead birds were buried in the presence of the mobile court.

Under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, enacted in 2012, hunting wildlife without a licence, and/or killing wild or migratory birds are punishable offences.