Prices of hilsa have shot up again in Chandpur markets as a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing is set to begin at midnight on Saturday, to ensure safe spawning in the freshwaters of the Padma and Meghna rivers. The ban has sparked a rush at Chandpur’s Boro Station fish ghat, one of the country’s largest fish landing centers, where buyers have been scrambling to purchase the priced fish before the restriction takes effect. The government ban, aimed at protecting hilsa during its spawning season, will remain in place until November 3. Traders said hilsa weighing 1 to 1.2 kilograms is being sold for Tk2,800- 3,000 per kilogram, an all-time high. The price of smaller hilsa, weighing 500 to 900 grams, ranges from Tk 1,200 - 2,000 per kilogram. 479 MT hilsa exported to India through Benapole “Prices were lower just a week ago. Now, even though I want to buy, I can’t because the prices have gone up by Tk500 - 700 per kilogram, said Solaiman, a buyer from Ashikati area. At the fish landing centre, local fishermen were seen bringing in fresh hilsa, some from nearby areas, while others arrive by truck from Noakhali.  Omar Faruq, manager of the Kalu Bhuiyan fish shop, said “The upcoming 22-day ban is the reason. The number of retail buyers far outnumbers the fish supply here.”  With the ban approaching, some tourists have also flocked to the  landing centre, turning their fish-buying trip into a family outing, Faruq adding the market has been busy from morning till night, and on Fridays, many tourists were spotted buying hilsa and having it fried at nearby restaurants. 479 MT hilsa exported to India through Benapole Veteran fish traders like Nurul Islam and Mostafa Khan said they haven’t seen prices this high in over 50 years. In the city’s busiest markets, including Biponibagh and Palbazar, the story is the same.  Chandpur District Fisheries Officer Golam Mehedi Hasan explained the practice of imposing the ban. "Hilsa migrate from the sea to freshwater during this time to spawn. The 22-day ban covers a 70-kilometer stretch from Shatnol in Matlab Uttar Upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar Upazila." All fishing, transporting, selling, and stocking of hilsa in this area will be prohibited durning the ban. Despite increased production—reaching 571,342 tonnes in the fiscal year 2022-23, up from 566,593 tonnes the previous year—the demand for hilsa remains high in Bangladesh, keeping prices elevated in the local market. In the fiscal year 2023-24, Bangladesh exported 664.86 tonnes of hilsa to India, generating $7.71 million, according to the Department of Fisheries. The previous year saw exports of 1,376.42 tonnes of hilsa, worth $13.68 million. Read more: 10 Tasty Ilish Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen

Heavy and torrential rains since Friday morning have inundated the main roads and lanes in Chandpur town, causing suffering to commuters and disrupting normal life. Locals the waterlogging was created due to faulty drainage, making it almost impossible to move. Roads are devoid of vehicles, and people are largely staying indoors unless absolutely necessary. Incessant rains throw life out of gear in Dhaka Vikas Ghosh, a vendor selling fermented milk drink near Court Station are, expressed his frustration, saying, "I have been here since 6 am with my drinks, but by 9 am, I haven't sold anything. There are no people around."

With Eid-ul-Azha set to be celebrated on June 17, the cattle markets in Chandpur district are buzzing with traders and sellers, eagerly preparing for the festive occasion. The excitement is palpable as the district comes alive with the sights and sounds of bustling cattle markets. Despite a reported shortage of 20,000 cattle, the District Livestock Department assures that the supply will meet the demand. According to Dr. Jotirmoy Bhoumik, the district livestock officer, most of the demand for sacrificial animals has been fulfilled from local farms. A total of 61,489 sacrificial animals have been prepared across 3,269 cattle farms in the district, supplemented by cattle arriving from other parts of the country. SC upholds HC order disallowing cattle market at Aftabnagar Amidst this lively backdrop, two bulls have stolen the spotlight. In Nathora village, in Hajiganj upazila, "Sultan," a majestic black bull weighing 800 kg, has become the talk of the town. Reared by Ali Ahmed, a local school teacher, Sultan has drawn crowds from far and wide. Ali is asking for Tk 8 lakh for this impressive specimen. Equally captivating is "Raza," a black and white bull weighing 1,000 kg, from Rari Kandi village in North Matlab upazila. Owner Elias Dewan, a businessman, has nurtured Raza with a natural diet for several years. "It is impossible to bring Raza to the cattle market; no one can control him. I've been on guard all night. He was born on the farm about two and a half years ago from a Friesian breed cow," Elias shared. The daily feeding routine includes paddy husk, grass, pulse, maize flour, rice, oil cake, raw banana, carrot, apple, and other fruits, costing Tk 800 per day. Elias is also asking for Tk 8 lakh for Raza, who enjoys the comfort of two electric fans and twice-daily baths. In Faridganj upazila, "Zayed Khan," another massive bull weighing 25-30 maunds, has been raised by Amir Hossain. Priced at Tk 15 lakh, Zayed Khan has been a four-year labor of love for Amir, who, like Elias, prefers to keep his prized bull away from the crowded markets. No cattle market at Aftabnagar this year as HC stays leasing process  

At least 10 people including women and children were injured as a Dhaka-bound launch from Bhola, the Karnafuli-3, caught fire in the middle of the Meghna river in Majherchar area in Chandpur's Haimchar on Saturday (April 20, 2024). Md Shahadat Hossain, deputy director of Chandpur BIWTA, said the fire broke out around 11:30am due to a technical glitch. At the time, 10 people were injured in the launch fire incident as they panicked and jumped into the river, he added. The stranded passengers of Karnaphuli-3 were being taken to Dhaka through Karnaphuli-4 launch. Read more: Banani slum fire under control On information, our investigation team along with the fire service rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, he added. However, the reason behind the fire could not be known immediately. The injured were treated locally. Meanwhile, senior police officers of Naval Police Chandpur region visited the spot soon after the incident, added the officer. Read more: TK Group’s super board manufacturing factory catches fire in Munshiganj

Shrikanta Nandi, manager of Natun Bazar branch in Chandpur town of Pubali Bank PLC, has gone missing with more than Tk 2.5 crores. Shrikanta Nandi, 40, is son of Nani Gopal Nandi and a resident of  Ghagra village in Kachua upazila. The new manager of the bank and a customer filed two General Diaries (GD) separately at Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station in this regard. Narsingdi UP member shot dead in broad daylight According to the sources, Shrikanta Nandi swindled Tk 2. 51 crore from the customers. On Monday (April 15) afternoon, the new manager of the branch  Humayun Kabir and  Chandpur Model Police Station Sub-Inspector (Investigative Officer) Nazrul Islam, came to know the matter after talking to customers. Akbar Hossain Liton, one of the victims, said Shrikant Nandi wanted to borrow money from him before Eid. A few days later, when he went to the bank for a pay order, he took Tk  1.76 crore from him. "But he disappeared without depositing the money in the bank," Liton claimed. On April 13, Liton lodged a GD at Chandpur Model Police Station. The accused bank manager also swindled Tk 75 lakh from another customer named Maruf of the Asrafpur area offering more profit. Padma Bridge: Record Tk 4.90 crore toll collected in 24 hrs The matter is being investigated through the higher authority, said the current bank manager, adding that there is no problem with internal customers' transactions. Chandpur Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Nazrul Islam said that they are investigating the issue following the GDs. "We will take legal action if there is any complaint regarding the transaction," he added. Read more: BRAC Bank promotes three senior officials to SEVP

Awami League nominated candidate for Chandpur-3 (Sadar-Haimchar) Dr. Dipu Moni has been elected in the 12th parliamentary elections held on Sunday. Brahmanbaria-4: Anisul Huq secures 3rd consecutive victory Dr. Dipu Moni, also the Education Minister, bagged 1,08,166 votes while her nearest rival Dr. Muhammad Shamsul Haque Bhuiyan who was an independent candidate secured 24,197 votes. The voting in the 12th parliamentary election began at 8:00 am and concluded at 4pm without any break amid tight security in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies. Nat'l Election: Hasan Mahmud wins for 4th time Dipu Moni is a renowned face in Bangladesh politics, and has been the Minister of Education since January 2019 and a Member of Parliament representing the Chandpur-3 constituency. She was Foreign Minister of Bangladesh from 2009 to 2013. Polls transparent, free and fair: Foreign Minister 

A pick-up van, a truck and a bus were set on fire in Chattogram, Sylhet and Chandpur districts early Saturday ahead 48-hour hartal enforced by BNP and some other opposition parties to press their demand for boycotting the 7 January election. In Chattogram, miscreants set fire to a pick-up van at on Dhaka-Chittgagong highway at Dhalipara in Sitakunda upazila early Saturday. Timing of train burning just a day before election shows an absolute intention to hinder democratic process: Foreign Minister Abdul Hakim, officer-in-charge of Kumira Highway Police, said 8-10 miscreants forced the pick-up van driver to halt it around 5:30 am. Later they set in on fire by hurling crude bomb and fled the scene. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire. In Chandpur, A bus helper suffered burn injuries as a fire broke out at a stationary bus on Chandpur-Cumilla highway at Chandpur Bus Station around 5:30 am. Trade between Bangladesh, India through Sonamasjid land port suspended due to nat’l election Sheikh Mahsin Alam, officer-in-charge of Sadar Model Police Station, said a fire broke out in ‘Ananda Paribahan’ bus. On information, police rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire. Khokon Mia, 60, a helper of the bus, who was asleep inside the bus, sustained burn injuries. He was taken to the Sadar hospital. Police suspected that the fire might have originated from mosquito coil. BGB ready to face any unwanted incident ahead of Jan 7-election: DG Nazmul In Sylhet, arsonists set a truck on fire on Sylhet-Dhaka highway at Lalabazar in Dakkhin Surma upazila early Saturday.Miscreants set the truck on fire beside Lalabazar Armed Police Battalion office around 1:45 am, said Md Jabed, duty officer of Dakkhin Surma Police Station.

Ferry service on Chandpur-Shariatpur route resumed this morning after nearly six hours of suspension due to dense fog in the Meghna River. 30 injured in earthquake panic rush in Cumilla, Chandpur The authorities concerned were forced to suspend the ferry services from 12 am to 6 am today to avert accidents.  Hundreds of vehicles waiting to cross the river remained stuck at both ends of the river, causing distress to passengers and drivers in the chilly weather. Cyclone Midhili: Large-scale damage reported to crops in Chandpur Faisal Alam Chowdhury, manager of Harina Ferry Ghat in Chandpur, said the ferry services resumed around 6 am after the visibility issues caused by the dense fog improved. 60-year-old dies as tree falls on him in Chandpur

The government of Bangladesh is going to impose a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing from tomorrow (October 12). Hilsa catching, selling and transportation will remain prohibited during the period to ensure the safe spawning of the national fish of Bangladesh during its peak breeding period. The ban will remain in place till November 2. On September 20, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim announced the 22-day ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa at a meeting of the National Task Force Committee on Hilsa Resource Development at the conference room of the Fisheries Department at Matsya Bhaban in Dhaka. Delay ban on catching hilsa by a month: Barishal fishing community The objective of the restrictions on fishing is to protect the mother hilsa which lay eggs during the period, he said. Hilsa makes the highest contribution to the country’s fish output as a single fish species. Recognized as a certified patented product of Bangladesh, the fish swim to rivers to lay eggs. Hilsa is very popular both in Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. About 75 percent of the world's hilsa is netted in Bangladesh. Govt allows 3,950 tonnes of Hilsa export to India ahead of Durga Puja Chandpur is considered one of the largest trading hubs of hilsa in Bangladesh as the fish from the Padma River is more popular than the ones that come from other rivers because of its distinct taste. 22-day ban on hilsa fishing to begin on Oct 12: Fisheries Minister

Dreams of some three lakh people in Kachua and Matlab Dakkhin upazilas of Chandpur district are finally coming true following the opening of a 42-meter long bridge over Boaljhuri canal. Socio-economic life in the locality will see a major change through the inauguration of the bridge. Read : 6-year-old girl dies as dengue cases rise in Kushtia The two upazilas — Matlab Dakkhin and Kachua — are separated by the Boaljhuri canal and people of the two upazilas had to cross the canal through boats. To mitigate the suffering of the people of two upazilas, local lawmakers took an initiative to build a bridge in an effort to ease communication. Once the bridge is opened, the social and economic lifestyle of Prashannacup, Banglabazar villages in Kachua bordering area and Kalikapur, Chartbhanga, Kashimpur villages under Matlab Dakkhin upazila will be changed. People can easily go to the district headquarters in a short period of time and at low cost. A Alim, upazila engineer of Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED), said they have completed the construction work of 42-meter concrete bridge over the Boaljhuri canal, at a cost of Tk 2.55 crore, financed by the government, and it will be opened on September 12. Read : Bodies of couple recovered in Chandpur Former minister and MP of Kachua constituency Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir will inaugurate the bridge, he said. The construction work of the bridge started in the 2020-21 fiscal year but it was delayed due to the pandemic. Approach roads have been built on both sides of the bridge, said A Alim. During a recent visit to the bridge area, the UNB correspondent saw that the painting of the bridge is underway. A number of stalls offering fuchka, coffee and tea were set up near the bridge while the construction of many shops is underway on both sides of the river. People were seen roaming around the bridge before the opening ceremony. Read : Bangladeshi cattle trader shot dead ‘by BSF ,along Panchagarh border Locals Abul Hossain, Shafique Patwari, said they had suffered a lot due to the absence of a bridge over the canal. The commute to the district headquarters used to be long. The bridge will help boost trade and income in the two upazilas, they believe. Teachers of Matlab Dakkhin Kalikapur High School said they had to cross the canal by boat to go to the school but now students and teachers can easily go to the school in a short time using the bridge.