Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin has said this year's drive will be run more strictly than at any other time. "Compared with other years, we will monitor the mother hilsa protection drive strictly this year. We will not let any fisher on the river during the drive. If anyone breaks the law, strict action will be taken," he said.

He was speaking as chair of a preparatory meeting of the district task force committee on implementing the mother hilsa protection drive, held at noon on Wednesday, 2 October, in the Chandpur Deputy Commissioner's conference room.

He said all ice plants will be closed during this period, and the local markets where hilsa is sold illegally will be monitored. Action will be taken not only against sellers but also against buyers if hilsa is found with them on the road. He will request that the army go with the task force to the ghats where hilsa is sold illegally. Mobile courts will run 24 hours a day, with no leniency.

The DC said no miscreant will be allowed to defy the administration, and action will be taken against anyone who tries. "Whether public representatives or anyone else helps or not, we will carry out the protection drive," he said. Strict watch must be kept at the mouths of river branches.

On sand quarries, the deputy commissioner said: "We have no legal sand quarries. We have already detained several people. Anyone who goes to lift sand is illegal, and we will be strict with them. Dredgers will not run on the river under any circumstances."

He said arrangements should be made to exchange views with dadon lenders, ice plant owners and fish traders, and with fishers too. During the drive, the four districts could work in coordination, and this must be discussed with higher authorities.

The meeting was moderated by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Mostafizur Rahman. Speakers included Superintendent of Police (SP) Muhammad Abdur Rakib, Coast Guard Chandpur station commander Fazlul Haque, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sakhawat Jamil Saikat, river police Assistant Superintendent of Police Imtiaz Ahmed, social services officer (Regd.) Manirul Islam and fishers' leader Tasleem Bepari.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.