Chandpur: A mobile taskforce detained 38 fishermen for catching Jatka (Hilsa fries) in the Meghna River sanctuary of Chandpur, violating a government-imposed ban. Of the detainees, 32 were sent to jail after a case was filed against them at the local River Police Station. The remaining six detainees, including two who were ill and four minors, were freed after giving undertakings.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Chandpur Sadar upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Mirza Omar Faruk stated that the drive was conducted from Wednesday afternoon to early Thursday across several points of the Meghna River, ranging from Akhoner Haat to Bohoria. During this operation, the taskforce detained the fishermen engaged in catching Jatka.
The taskforce also seized two fishing boats, approximately 5,000 metres of illegal current net, and around 20 kg of Jatka. Officials from the upazila fisheries office, including Assistant Fisheries Officer Md Mizanur Rahman, participated in the drive alongside members of the Chandpur River Police.
Most of the accused fishermen are residents of char areas in Chandpur Sadar upazila. They reportedly cited financial hardship as the reason for engaging in illegal fishing activities.