Munshiganj: A mobile court today sentenced four fishermen to 15 days of rigorous imprisonment each for illegally catching hilsa fish during a government-imposed ban period. The court's action was part of a broader effort to protect the species during its peak breeding season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the operation was led by Executive Magistrate Masud Parvez, who conducted a drive on the Padma River in Louhajang upazila. The team arrested the fishermen, identified as Yunus (27), Md. Shaheen (45), Tara Mia (30), and Abdul Hakim (19), all residents of Kumarvog village. Alongside the arrests, authorities seized 4 lakh meters of illegal current nets and 10 kg of hilsa fish. The mobile court not only sentenced the fishermen but also destroyed the seized nets. The confiscated hilsa fish were donated to a local madrasa.
In a related operation on Saturday morning, Additional District Magistrate Md. Rezaul Karim led a team in Sadar upazila to protect mother hilsa in the Meghna River. During this operation, approximately 1 lakh meters of illegal current nets were seized and 30 kg of hilsa fish were recovered. The rescued fish were given to a local orphanage, and the illegal nets were destroyed to prevent further exploitation.
Senior fisheries officers of Munshiganj Sadar upazila and officials from relevant organizations were present during both operations, underscoring the region's commitment to preserving its natural resources and supporting sustainable fishing practices.