17 detained for illegal Jatka fishing in Chandpur. Photo: BSS

CHANDPUR, March 6, 2026 (BSS) - The District Task Force today detained 17 
fishermen for defying the ongoing government ban on catching juvenile hilsa 
(jatka) in the Padma-Meghna River sanctuary area of Chandpur.

The detentions were made during a specialized enforcement drive conducted 
from 8pm Thursday until 3am today. 

Sadar Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Mirza Omar Faruk confirmed the 
information to BSS, noting that the operation covered the stretch of the 
Meghna River from Harina to Kachikata in the Sadar area.

Following the operation, a mobile court led by Executive Magistrate Md. 
Rahmat Ullah conducted two separate summary trials at the Chandpur Coast 
Guard station. 

The court fined 13 of the detained fishermen Taka 5,000 each, totaling Taka 
65,000 in penalties. Four other detainees were found to be minors and were 
subsequently released to their families after providing legal undertakings 
(bonds).

The 13 adult fishermen who were penalized are: Akhtar Hossain (34), Md. 
Kausar (26), Khorshed Alam (35), Md. Bachchu Mia (32), Md. Nazim Uddin (39), 
Md. Azad (45), Md. Barek (22), Md. Sharif (24), Saidur Rahman (24), Abu Sayed 
(45), Md. Niamat Bhuiyan (40), Md. Monir (37), and Md. Sagar (28).

The four minor fishermen released on bond were identified as Md. Rabiul, Md. 
Sukkur, Billal Hossain, and Md. Zahid. The apprehended individuals are 
residents of various localities in Chandpur (Matlab North), Shariatpur, and 
Noakhali districts.

Officer Mirza Omar Faruk further informed BSS that the Task Force seized 
25,000 meters of banned current nets and three engine-driven wooden boats 
during the drive. 

The illegal nets were destroyed by fire on-site as per judicial orders, while 
the seized boats have been kept in the custody of the Coast Guard.

The enforcement operation was conducted under the leadership of the Executive 
Magistrate with the participation of Sadar Upazila Assistant Fisheries 
Officer Md. Mizanur Rahman and personnel from the Coast Guard.