Khalil Uddin Farid, Bhola 

The fisheries administration has detained 21 fishermen during an operation in the Meghna River in Tazumuddin, Bhola, to enforce the government’s 22-day ban aimed at protecting mother hilsa during their breeding season. Three fishing trawlers and fishing nets were also seized during the operation.

Later, a mobile court sentenced 18 of the detained fishermen to seven days of simple imprisonment each. The remaining three, who were minors, were released after their families provided written undertakings. The seized fishing nets were burned and destroyed, while the trawlers were kept in the custody of the fisheries office.

According to sources at the Upazila Fisheries Office, the operation was conducted at around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, in the Meghna River near Mahishkhali Fish Landing Station in Tazumuddin upazila. The operation was led by Tazumuddin UNO  Md. Boni Amin, along with a team from the fisheries administration.

During the drive, the team detained 21 fishermen while they were fishing in the river and seized three fishing trawlers and fishing nets.

The seized nets were subsequently burned and destroyed at Shashiganj Fish Landing Station. The trawlers remain in the custody of the fisheries office.

Following the operation, UNO and Executive Magistrate Md. Boni Amin conducted a mobile court. The court sentenced 18 of the 21 detained fishermen to seven days of simple imprisonment each. The other three were released after their families submitted undertakings, as they were underage.

The sentenced fishermen are Md. Shipon (32), Md. Sajib (19), Md. Kashem (33), Md. Faisal (25), Md. Sohag (25), Nur Islam (25), Akbar (20), Md. Rashed (20), Monir (28), Md. Ayub (28), Ibrahim Majhi (52), Md. Rafiq (40), Md. Sharif (28), Md. Hafiz (34), Md. Maksud (48), Md. Shahadat (20), Md. Faruk (65) and Md. Kamal (62).

According to sources, all the detained fishermen are residents of Tazumuddin upazila.

Speaking about the operation, UNO and Executive Magistrate Md. Boni Amin said that drives in the Meghna River would continue.

“Anyone found violating the government-imposed fishing ban during the 22-day restriction period will face appropriate legal action under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act. No one will be given any special consideration,” he said.