Fishermen allegedly attacked Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mehdi Hasan, along with police personnel during an operation to protect mother ilish in the Tetulia River of Bhola’s Borhanuddin upazila.
The attack injured ASI Helal from Borhanuddin police station and a constable. One fisherman has been detained in connection with the incident.
The attack occurred Sunday evening while an operation was underway in the Tetulia River, following complaints about sand extraction and ilish fishing during the restricted period.
Magistrate Mehedi Hasan said: “We spotted around 20-25 fishermen on two boats catching ilish. When we attempted to apprehend them, we were attacked by three policemen and five unarmed officials. ASI Helal was struck on the shoulder, and a constable sustained a fractured finger. After chasing the attackers, we seized two boats and detained one person.”
The detained individual has been placed in police custody, while the upazila fisheries officer has been instructed to file a written complaint to the police for further action.
The upazila administration intends to continue operations to protect mother ilsih in the public interest.
Despite the administration's intensified efforts, mother ilish continues to be openly sold at Beir Matha in Gangapur Union and Nayner Canal Machghat areas along the Tetulia River. The ban on ilish fishing has yet to fully curb illegal fishing activities in the area.