Asaduzzaman, a young man of village Jugirgofa under Gangni upazila of the district started fish farming by cutting a pond on his own 1.5 bigha land to bring back prosperity. He gave fish fry worth taka 50 thousands which become large in size. Suddenly he saw the fish in the pond dying. At first he thought the fish were dying because of the weather impact. Later the water of the pond was examined and it was found that all the fish in the pond had died for application of poison in the water. This caused a loss of taka at least 5 lakh. The incident took place on December 25 last. Not becoming hopeless, he started fish farming in a new way again. Not only Asaduzzaman but six fish cultivators of the village faced the same consequences as miscreants secretly gave poison in their ponds.
Abdul Latif of Jugirgofa village under Gangni upazila said that on the morning of December 17, he saw the fish in the pond floating dead. At first it seemed that the oxygen in the water was reduced, but later it was seen that all the fish in the pond died within five days. It has caused a loss of taka at least 6 lakh.
Similarly, fish worth taka 20 lakh from Thandu Mia, 10 lakh from Anish and Idris, 10 lakh from Khalil member and 5 lakh from Dulu Mia were killed by poisoning. The miscreants did this heinous act secretly even after guarding the pond. The fish farmers of the village have perplexed to the extreme.
Fish farmers said that the price of fish fry and food is high. But we are not getting fair price. Even then, it would have been possible to save capital by selling fish. But the miscreants are putting the fish farmers on the road by poisioning the fish ponds. The farmers further said that the thieves or miscreants did not dare to commit such misdeeds as the members of the police force had come on patrol earlier. Now they are getting opportunity as there is no patrol.
Gangni Upazila Assistant Fisheries Officer Hossain Ahmed Swapan said the youths and expatriates of Jugirgofa village in Gangni started fish farming as fish farming was very profitable. They also benefited a lot. Many people are going to sit on the road after killing fish with poison recently. A meeting has been held with the fish farmers on the issue. Pond guarding is being arranged jointly. At the same time, the process of identifying the miscreants and bringing them under the law is also underway.
Gangni Thana Inspector (investigation) Sajedul Islam said the matter has already been reported to the police camp in the area and it has been suggested to intensify the patrol.
