32 fishermen jailed by mobile court in Barishal

A mobile court jailed 32 fishermen for attempting to catch shrimp spawn in the river Meghna in Hijla upazila of Barishal early yesterday.

Of them, 31 were sentenced to one month and another to one year imprisonments by the court led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Aminul Islam, said river police.

Catching of such shrimp spawn is illegal, said Sanjoy Mandal, sub-inspector and in-charge of MV Parijat Temporary River Police Camp.

The fishermen in a trawler were preparing to catch spawn in the river near Hijla launch ghat, he said.

The fishers confessed to the offence, the police offiical added.

The court also seized the trawler and 25 pots used for storing spawn, said the police officer, who was in the drive.

All the convicts are from Chunarchar village in Mehendiganj upazila, said the SI.