Six fishers jailed for catching fish during ban period

 
KAMALNAGAR, LAXMIPUR, Apr 4: Six fishermen were sentenced to one month's imprisonment each for catching fish in the Meghna River during the banned period to protect' jatka' (baby hilsa).

On Thursday noon, Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Muhammad Arafat Hossain conducted a mobile court and awarded the punishment.

The convicts are Saiful Islam, Md Shahidul, Md Yusuf, Md Akbar, Abdur Rahim and Mofizur Rahman Kalu, all from Daulatkhan area in Bhola.

Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Tushar Saha said the government has declared a 100-kilometre stretch of the Meghna River-from Shatnal in Chandpur to Char Alexander in Ramgati, Laxmipur-as a sanctuary for jatka. 

Fishing is strictly prohibited in this sanctuary during March and April.
Defying the ban, the six fishermen were caught red-handed on Thursday morning while fishing. Six fishing boats and six nets were seized along with them.