<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">River Police have arrested 29 fishermen for violating the two-month ban on catching hilsa fry – imposed by the government – in the Padma-Meghna river sanctuary area of Chandpur to increase the production of hilsa and protect ‘jatka’ (fry).</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The arrested fishermen were from Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Shariatpur, and Matlab North of Chandpur.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the arrest, river police seized about 28,56,900 meters of current nets, 5 fishing boats, and 188 kg of ‘jatka’ from the fishermen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Contacted, Md Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Chandpur River Police Station, said law enforcers conducted a day-long operation in the sanctuary area to protect ‘jatka’ (hilsa fry less than 9 inches or 23 centimetres in length).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“During our operation, we’ve arrested 29 fishermen for violating the 2-month ban on catching jatka,” he told UNB.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of the arrested fishermen, eight were sentenced to one month's rigorous imprisonment, and 18 others were regularly booked under the Fisheries Act with Sadar Model Police Station. Three minors were cautioned and released into the custody of their families.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The government imposed a two-month ban on catching ‘jatka’ to increase the production of hilsa in the Padma-Meghna sanctuary under Chandpur, Shariatpur, Lakshmipur, Barishal and Bhola districts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seventy kms sanctuary of Meghna in Sadar, Haimchar, Matlab North, and Matlab South upazilas of the Chandpur district are also under restriction.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those who violate the ban are subjected to a maximum of two years imprisonment, a fine of Tk 5,000, or both. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>