Seven Bangladeshi fishermen arrested,sent to jail

Kendrapara, Feb 13 (UNI) A local court today remanded seven suspected Bangladeshi fishermen to judicial custody on the charges of fishing illegally inside the prohibited zone under Gahiramatha Marine Sanctuary.

All the seven were arrested yesterday under Wildlife Protection Act,1972, during a joint raid conducted by Bhitarkanika forest officials along with police and coastguard personnel.

A trawler, a fishing net and some fishing accessories were also seized from them.

The State Forest Department has imposed ban on fishing around 20 km off the shore from November to May last every year to protect the endangered marine turtles, which come en mass for mating and breeding at Gahirmatha Marine sanctuary.

The forest personnel have seized 22 trawlers and arrested 120 persons for fishing illegally since November last year.

UNI XC BD DP PC RN2228