A mobile court of Chattogram district
administration seized around 25 tonnes of immature Hilsa (jatka) from a cold
storage in city's Mazirghat area on Saturday night.
Based on secret information, the mobile court led by Executive Magistrate
Prateek Dutta conducted the raid at AK Khan Cold Storage in city's Mazhirghat
area and recovered 25 tonnes of jatka (small Hilsa fish) worth around Taka 40
lakh.
The mobile court also arrested Cold Storage manager Chandan Dey and fined
Taka five thousand to the owner of AK Khan Cold Storage.
Later, the jatkas were distributed among the 11 institutions under the
Department of Social Services including nine orphans, three temples and local
poor workers.
Talking to BSS, Deputy Commissioner Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman said
that the government has imposed a ban for catching, transporting, storing,
buying and selling jatka for eight months from 1 November to June 30 for the
safe growth of Hilsa fish.
"The short length of Hilsa (25 cm) is our resource. If these fish are big
enough (in size), it's possible to export those abroad after meeting the
demand of the country," he said, adding that the drive to preserve jatka will
continue.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha