KHULNA, Sept 7, 2025 (BSS) - Members of the East Forest Division arrested six fishermen along with an engine-run trawler from the Narikelbaria canal area in the Sundarbans on Saturday night for illegally netting fish.

The detained fishermen were identified as Bellal Khan, 30, Miraz, 29, Hridoy Howlader, 22, Al Amin Howlader, 22, Khairul Islam, 24, and Isa Mia. All of them are residents of Padma village under Patharghata upazila in Barguna district.

Forest department sources said the fishermen were caught red-handed while illegally fishing in the canal using the trawler around 11:00 pm. The drive was led by Subrata Kumar Das, Officer-in-Charge of the Dublarchar Forest Outpost.

Sensing the presence of the forest patrol team, the fishermen attempted to flee with the trawler. However, forest officials chased and successfully detained them inside the canal area, Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) of the Shoronkhola Range, Rana Deb, told BSS.

Later, the detainees along with the trawler were handed over to Shoronkhola Police Station for legal action.