Coast Guard attacked by fishermen during Hilsa protection drive in Barishal

Fishermen attacked Coast Guard members and fisheries officials in the Meghna River during an enforcement operation to protect breeding Hilsa fish in Hizla, Barishal. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at Char Janpur ghat during the second day of a 22-day fishing ban.

According to reports, a group of fishermen launched an attack using bricks and stones against the Coast Guard and a speedboat carrying fisheries officials. The attack damaged the speedboat’s windshield and horn. To control the situation and protect themselves, Coast Guard personnel fired approximately 10 to 11 blank rounds.

Authorities detained several fishermen, including Salahuddin Chowkidar and Shah Alam, who were sentenced to six months of rigorous imprisonment by a mobile court. Officials also seized five kilograms of Hilsa and approximately 200,000 meters of fishing nets, which were subsequently destroyed. The current ban on catching, transporting, and marketing Hilsa is scheduled to remain in effect until October 29.