Fisheries and Livestock Adviser to the interim government, Farida Akhter, on Saturday assured that Bangladeshis will get hilsa fish before India, ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations. She also announced that 1,200 metric tons of hilsa will be supplied in response to repeated requests from the festival organisers.
The statement was made during a discussion with fishermen and journalists at a meeting organised by the district administration and Department of Fisheries near the Buri Band waterbody in Sadar Upazila of Thakurgaon.
Farida Akhter said, “I have said this before. Unfortunately, as a neighbouring country, we had to send some hilsa to India previously, but the quantity was less than their demand. This time, the price has also been increased.”
On the issue of illegal ring nets, the adviser emphasised, “Operations are not just targeting fishermen. We are also conducting raids on institutions. There is no leniency for manufacturers or sellers of these nets.”
The meeting was attended by Dr Md Abdur Rauf, Director General (In-Charge) of the Department of Fisheries; District Commissioner Ishrat Farzana; Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam; fisheries officers including Arafat Hossain; along with local fishermen and media representatives.
