A syndicate of fisherman, traders, police and local political leaders are allegedly involved in unlawful catching and selling of Ilish in Chandpur.
Despite a government ban on catching, selling and transportation of Jatka (Ilish fry less than 10 inch or 26 centimetres in length), fishermen of Chandpur’s Sadar, Haimchar and Matlab areas have been involved in netting the fishes.
These fishes are then transported to various parts of the country with the help of police, coastguard and powerful people.
The route of Haidarganj-Raipur-Lakshmipur is considered safer for the transportation of the fishes.
According to police and local sources, Ilish catching is rampant near river-port police outposts of Boro Station, Mohonpur, Ishanbala, Baher Char and Aloo’r Bazar. Some corrupt police men allows the fishermen to use the banned current net to catch fishes. A recent visit to these areas found several markets abuzz with the selling of Ilish and Jatkas.
Awami League leader of Lakshmipur union Soleman Majhi, Hanarchar union AL President Habu Soiyal, Secretary of Akher Haat AL Makbul, BNP leader Kashel Soiyal of Puranbazar, Jubo Dal leader Shahjahan of Ronagoyal and many other AL and BNP activists are accused to be involved in the Ilish catching.
The people who are involved in transporting the fishes are Haimchar upazila AL’s Vice-President Human Pradhaniya, Jalal Choukdar, Shafiq Sheikh, Ilias Liton, Amtali’s Shafiq Sheikh, Md Monir Hossain of Sahebganj and others.
Locals said the Ilish catching and transportation happens in the darkness of night. Some people take strategic positions on the route to ensure smooth transportation.
Though police sometimes conduct eyewash operations, they also take a good share of the bribe. The cashier of Puranbazar police outpost handles the money. Sometimes, bribe is sent by bKash.
It has been learnt that everyday about 100-150 maund of Ilish is sold and transported from various points of Haimchar, Jaliarchar, Katakhal, Amtali and Sahebganj.
About Tk30,000-40,000 change hands in the process.
When contacted, Haimchar upazila AL vice-president Md Humayun Pradhaniya denied all allegations and said such reports would not cause any harm to the business since the administration was with them.
Officer in-Charge of Haimchar police station Md Moniruzzaman told the Dhaka Tribune that they were alert to check any illegal Ilish business.
In-charge of Mohanpur river-port police outpost Md Shah Alam said his area had no fisherman catching Jatka. It was all happening in Haimchar, he claimed.
Superintendent of Police, Chandpur Amir Jafar said: “Coastguard and the police are working to curb Jatka catching. And if we get any complaint against any of our members, we will take proper action.”
Deputy Commissioner of Chandpur Md Ismail Hossain said his administration was pledge-bound to check Jatka netting at any cost. All out efforts, involving the police, coastguard and river-police, had been taken in this regard.
Dr Anisur Rahman, researcher of Fisheries Research Institute, said if the Jatka catching could be curbed, Ilish production would cross three lakh tonnes in the next season.
