20 fishers jailed for catching hilsa in Chandpur

 
CHANDPUR, Oct 23: A mobile court sentenced 20 fishermen to jail terms of 10 to 15 days for catching hilsa in the Meghna River in defiance of the government ban on mother hilsa conservation.

The mobile court also fined each of them Tk 1,000 during the drive conducted from 4 pm to 9 pm on Thursday.
Sadar Upazila Assistant Fisheries Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said that authorities detained the fishermen during the drive in the Harisabha, Ranagoal, Dokanghor, and Boharia areas of Chandpur Sadar Upazila. They also seized 30 kilograms of hilsa, 35,000 metres of current nets, and 3 engine-driven wooden fishing boats.

District Fisheries Officer Fakhrul Islam confirmed the matter on Friday morning.

Assistant Fisheries Officer Mizanur Rahman further said that the seized current nets were burnt and destroyed in the presence of the executive magistrates. The seized hilsa were distributed among local orphans. Meanwhile, the three fishing boats have been kept in the custody of the Coast Guard.

Officials stated that such drives will continue during the ban period to ensure the safe breeding of mother hilsa.