As a result, thousands of people, including retail and wholesale fish traders, boatmen, day labourers and fishermen, have been put out of jobs. Jasim Uddin, leader of Kaptai Fish Traders’ Association, said: “Four armed groups of criminals in the hills had demanded Tk20 lakh from us separately. As we did not, they ordered our fishermen to stop fishing in Kaptai Lake.”Fishermen had to refrain from fishing in Kaptai Lake for three months from May to July as per the government-imposed ban to allow the fish population to thrive. “If we cannot return to fishing after the 90-day fishing ban we fear that we cannot survive with our family,” said Alauddin. Saying he wasn’t aware of the matter, Kaptai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muntasir Jahan said he would take necessary action once he receives a complaint.

Source: Dhaka Tribune August 27, 2020 09:00 UTC