Khulna: The BCS Fisheries Cadre Association (FCA) has raised objections against the takeover of the Gallamari Fish Seed Production Farm in Khulna, which has been repurposed as a residential hall. This action has led to the suspension of a World Bank-funded project and has reportedly harmed Bangladesh’s reputation internationally, as per a statement from association convener Dr. Khaled Konok and member secretary Moshior Rahman.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the statement highlighted the forced occupation of the farm manager’s office, the sub-project director’s office of the Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project, the region’s sole fish health diagnostic laboratory, and a training center situated on approximately 10.35 acres of government land by some students of Khulna University. The signboard of the facility has been taken down, and it has been unlawfully renamed as Shaheed Mir Mugdho Hall.
The statement detailed the disruption of critical operations at the Department of Fisheries, including carp and shrimp hatchery work, brood fish management, training in modern technical methods, and research activities. The facility’s work on producing genetically pure fry and fingerlings, disease diagnosis, and testing of environmental parameters has been halted. Additionally, officers and employees have been removed from the premises.
Furthermore, the FCA’s statement condemned the actions as damaging to the objectives of the July Movement, posing a threat to the fisheries sector’s productivity. The association has called for swift legal action against those responsible for the occupation and demands the restoration of the facility to resume its official activities and safeguard national interests.