TDS Desk:

Government has enforced a two-month ban on catching all types of fish in the Meghna River from 1 March to 30 April to conserve jatka and raise hilsa production.

During the period, catching, transporting, marketing and storing hilsa will remain prohibited, while ice mills will stay closed.

Each fisherman will receive 160 kilograms of rice under the Vulnerable Group Feeding programme over four months, including the restriction period.

Fisheries officials said coordinated drives would be carried out daily in the river by the fisheries department, upazila and district administrations, police and the Coast Guard to enforce the ban.

District fisheries officials and fishermen said there are about 52,000 fishermen in the district, of whom 43,000 are registered.

A 100-kilometre stretch from Alexander in Ramgati upazila of Lakshmipur to Shatnol in Chandpur has been declared a hilsa sanctuary.

The district administration and fisheries department have continued awareness campaigns, including miking and poster distribution, in river and coastal areas.

Fishermen Kalam, Mintu and Sharif Hossain of Mozu Chowdhury’s Hat said rehabilitation measures promised for fishermen have yet to be implemented.

They alleged that the number of fishermen exceeds the government’s allocated food support.

They demanded proper distribution of rice based on an accurate list without irregularities during the ban.

Lakshmipur Sadar Senior Fisheries Officer Md Mahamudul Hasan Chowdhury said joint drives would be conducted daily to ensure enforcement.

Those violating the ban will face imprisonment and fines under the law, he said.

Deputy Commissioner SM Mehdi Hasan said a taskforce coordination committee led by the district and upazila administrations was working to implement the restriction.

Legal action will be taken if any irregularities are found in distributing rice under the programme, he said.