A mobile court sentenced nine fishermen to varying jail terms for fishing in the Meghna River defying a ban.
Eleven fishermen were detained in the Padma‑Meghna sanctuary in Chandpur, though two children among them were later released, Assistant Fisheries Officer Md Mizanur Rahman confirmed the development.
The fishermen were picked up from Anand Bazar, Dasdi, Sofromali, Lalpur, and Gazir Tek. The district administration, fisheries department, Coast Guard, and river police conducted the joint operation from 5:30pm to 10:30pm Saturday.
At the Coast Guard Chandpur station, Executive Magistrate Md Nazmul Huda sentenced three fishermen to one month’s imprisonment, six to 15 days each, and fined all Tk3,000. The seized nets were burned, while the boats remain in Coast Guard custody.
The operation was led by District Fisheries Officer Md Fakhrul Islam, joined by the Additional Superintendent of River Police, Coast Guard, and two river police teams.
