File photo

DHAKA, May 7, 2026 (BSS) - River Police arrested 174 people during a six-day nationwide drive aimed at protecting fisheries resources and ensuring security on waterways.

During the operations, police seized 22,604,250 meters of illegal fishing nets and 283,000 shrimp fry, while 146 illegal river obstacles and bushes were removed, a press release said.

Authorities also filed prosecutions against 57 bulkhead vessels for operating without valid documents in naval courts.

A total of 66 cases were filed, including 36 under fisheries laws, 23 for reckless speed violations, one related to illegal sand extraction, and one narcotics case. 

River Police also recovered five bodies during the drives.

The seized illegal nets were destroyed, shrimp fry were released back into water bodies, and the remaining fish were distributed to orphanages, the release added.