Attack on Fisheries Team Returning from Ilish Drive on Sugandha River in Nalchhiti, Jhalokathi: Seven Injured

Attackers assaulted officials and staff of the fisheries department in Nalchhiti upazila of Jhalokathi as they were returning from an operation to protect ilish on the Sugandha River. Seven people were injured in the incident. The injured received treatment at Jhalokathi Sadar Hospital.

Fisheries department sources said the attack took place at midnight on Monday (26 October).

A fisheries team led by District Fisheries Officer Md Enamul Haque conducted the operation on the Sugandha River with one speedboat and one engine-driven trawler. On the way back after finishing the Nalchhiti part of the operation, the team was intercepted near the Jangalia area of Kumarkhali.

According to the sources, the attackers arrived in 12 engine-driven boats and attacked the team members with sticks and ramdas (large knives).

During the attack, Senior Assistant Director Pranab Kumar Biswas fell from the speedboat and was injured.

The injured also include Ansar and VDP member Habildar Abdur Rahim, sepoys Sakib Hasan and Selim Mia, and Md Rezaul Karim, Md Mostafa Sikder and office assistant Md Ramzan Ali Khalifa.

District Fisheries Officer Md Enamul Haque said a team was returning after conducting an operation on the Sugandha River as part of regular drives to protect ilish when it came under attack, and seven members of the fisheries department were injured.