Staff Correspondent 

Imports of Indian hilsa through the Benapole land port have come to an abrupt halt after the Department of Fisheries cancelled 103 no-objection certificates (NOCs), leaving local importers staring at severe financial losses.

No consignment of the prized fish has entered the country via Benapole since Tuesday, following instructions issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the department concerned.

"We received letters from the ministry and the Fisheries Department ordering an immediate suspension of imports. Consequently, no hilsa entered through Benapole on Tuesday or Wednesday," said Ashwadul Alam, inspector at the port’s Fisheries Quarantine Office.

According to quarantine office data, Bangladesh imported 553 tonnes of hilsa valued at $910,000 (Tk 69.29 million) from India between July 20 and September 20 under open letters of credit. A total of 19 importers brought in the fish over the two months—three in July and 19 in August.

In a letter issued on Tuesday, Md Khaled Konok, acting director general of the Department of Fisheries, revoked all 103 previously issued NOCs without citing any specific grounds for the sudden cancellation.

For the current fiscal year, the government had originally sanctioned the import of 1,739.5 tonnes of Indian hilsa, of which less than a third has arrived so far.

The sudden decision has sent shockwaves among local traders and importers, who claim they were caught off guard with active orders already placed across the border.

"We had already purchased large quantities of hilsa in India for imminent shipments," said Syed Mahidul Haque Rubai, a prominent fish importer. "Now we are forced to sell them back in the Indian market at a heavy loss, alongside suffering non-recoverable transport and logistical expenses."

Importers are currently seeking clarification from the ministry on whether shipments can resume under the remaining sanctioned quotas.

The suspension, however, has drawn mixed reactions from buyers and local traders. Consumers have long complained about market malpractice, where imported hilsa from India and Myanmar is frequently mislabeled and sold at premium rates as domestic "Padma Hilsa."

"Indian hilsa looks almost identical to Padma hilsa, making it difficult for ordinary buyers to spot the difference despite clear variations in taste," noted Ashikur Rahman, a buyer in Benapole.

Local fish merchants welcomed the decision, stating that the import freeze would help domestic fishermen secure fair prices for their catch while ensuring consumers get access to authentic local hilsa during the peak season.

Ruhul Amin, acting director of the Benapole Land Port, confirmed that port operations for hilsa cargo remained entirely suspended on Wednesday.