As in every year, makeshift hilsa markets are again being held on the bank of the Padma during the ban. It looks as if a contest to catch roe-laden hilsa is under way in the area, with the fish caught and then sold right on the river bank. This is the picture every year on the Padma bank in Shibchar, Madaripur, and the game of hide-and-seek between the administration and the fishermen goes on.

According to several sources, fishermen are fishing the Padma in various parts of Bandarkhola, Madbarerchar, Charjanajat and Kanthalbari unions of Shibchar upazila, then setting up temporary markets on the bank to sell the catch. Crowds gather to buy. Prices are high, yet people are buying fresh fish from the fishermen freely.

Fishing goes on all night, and most of the catch is sold at markets held at dawn and in the afternoon. Most fish are being sold at Kazirsura and Hirakha on the Padma bank in Shibchar. Because these are char areas, fishermen learn in advance when officials are coming. They cleverly post people at the entry points, and when these lookouts raise the alarm, buyers and sellers slip away. When the administration goes out on the river during fishing, the fishermen sense it and move off quickly, then start fishing again once the officials leave. This is how they catch and sell fish during the ban.

Mofiz Howlader, who came to buy hilsa, said he had come from Pacchar, mainly for an outing on the Padma bank. Seeing fresh hilsa on sale, he bought some too.

Another buyer, who did not want to be named, said fish in the market reach them after several stages of handling, while fish here are completely fresh. That is why he came to this part of Kanthalbari in Shibchar, and he planned to buy about half a maund.

Several fishermen, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: if we do not catch and sell fish, what will we eat? Our families would go hungry. Besides, sales are good and there are plenty of fish. People are buying 10 to 15 kg at a time. When the administration raids, we have to sell at lower prices. Many fishermen have already been detained in drives and jailed or fined, but we are still catching and selling fish despite that, they said.

Shibchar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) HM Ibne Mizan said unscrupulous fish traders are selling fish despite the 22-day ban, so regular drives are being carried out. A number of fishermen have already been detained and jailed or fined, yet they carry on. He said he had learned that fish were being sold at markets on the Padma bank. The administration is short of manpower, so drives will be carried out at those places with the help of the army.

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