A team led by Shariatpur’s Zajira Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) reportedly came under attack by some fishermen while they were patrolling Padma River following the ban on ilish fishing, transportation, and sale.
The incident took place in the middle of the river at around 9:30pm on Saturday.
Jazira UNO Kamrul Hasan said: “We conduct operations to save the mother ilish at different points of Padma River throughout the day, and hence the local fishermen get angry.”
He added that the fishermen attacked them from a trawler with bricks and some local weapons. Later, Naval police fired blank shots to control the situation.
After the incident, some 10 fishermen were arrested and sent to jail through a mobile court for violating the ban.
The arrestees are Din Islam, 42, Shanowar, 20, Riyad, 22, Akkas, 40, Moktar Mia, 20, Rajib Mia, 28, Shakil, 19, Monir Hossain, 26, Faruk, 20, Babul Fakir, 20.
Zajira upazila Fisheries Officer Abul Bashar said upazila Agriculture Officer Jamal Hossain and some policemen from Majhirghat Naval police station started the operation in the Padma River with the UNO.
He also mentioned that he too was a part of the campaign.
The official also said that around 200,000 metres of fishing nets were recovered from the detainees. Later they burnt the net and donated the ilish fish to local orphanages.