River Police arrested 17 fishermen for breaching the two-month ban on catching hilsa fry – imposed by the government – in the Padma-Meghna river sanctuary area of Chandpur on Monday.

The arrestees are Abu Bakkar Mridha, 22; Abu Kalam Mridha, 20; Raton Mridha, 31; Sumon Mollah, 23; Mira Rari, 19; Romij Khan, 35; Sumon, 22; Borhan Uddin Khalasi, 20; Helal Chowdhury, 22; Sohel Mia,19; Sojib Chowkider, 19; Nasir, 26; Riyad, 24; Md Humayun, 30; Al-Amin Hossain, 18; Jumman, 19; and Mahfuz, 19.

During the drives, law enforcers also seized about 6,73,800 meters of current nets, 5 fishing boats, and 71 kg of ‘jatka’ from the fishermen.

Md Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Chandpur River Police Station, said law enforcers conducted separate operations from Monday morning to midnight in the sanctuary area and arrested them.

Three cases were filed at Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station under the Fisheries Act against the arrestees.

The seized current nets were burnt while the jatkas were distributed among local orphanages and needy people, added the OC.

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.

Those who violate the ban are subjected to a maximum of two years imprisonment, a fine of Tk 5,000, or both.