Fishery officials have allowed fishermen to hunt fish with illegal behundi nets. Similar allegations were found against Md Moslem Uddin Khan, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Mirzaganj, Patuakhali.
The fishery officer even had a verbal argument with the fisherman and local UP member Md. Maskur Hossain in the upazila's Kakrabunia market on Tuesday over the money of Masohara. The video of which has already gone viral on social media. This has created extreme anger among the fishermen and the local public.
According to fishermen and local sources, the fisheries officer gave 25 fishermen the opportunity to catch fish in Payra river with illegal behundi nets in exchange for a total of 87 thousand 500 taka from the fishermen of Kakrabunia area of the upazila. He collects this money every month through a jailer named Karim.
A fisherman named Sahib Ali said, fisherman Karim collected money from us and deposited it in the office. I threw away my money to pay two thousand rupees. Later my net was handed over. But those who have paid 3 thousand don't catch their net.
Apart from this, several fishermen including Salam Mollah admitted to paying money and said, "We catch fish in the river with Behundi nets for 3,000 and 3,500 at the end of the month."
Locals including Masud Mridha and Abbas Ali Sikdar said that the fisheries officer came and roamed around but did not say anything even after seeing the illegal nets.
Those who cannot pay are taken away. He does not take any action despite complaints about illegal netting.
I heard from the fishermen that the fisheries officer took money from the fishermen every month by allowing them to set up illegal nets.
Local UP member Md. Maskur said, fishermen are freely hunting fish in Pyara river with illegal nets.
The fisheries officer came to the spot and saw these things but did not take any action.
The fishermen told me that he paid 3,500 rupees per month from 25 jailers.
When talking to Jailer Karim, he said, I don't take money from any Jailer.
Accused Fisheries Officer Md Moslem Uddin Khan said, I have no money. These are lies. No illegal fishing will be allowed.
Upazila Executive Officer Mosa Tanya Ferdous said that if a complaint is received in this regard, action will be taken in consultation with the District Fisheries Officer subject to investigation.