Fishers Stage Unprecedented Protest Against Extortion in Chattogram, Blocking Road With Fish and Ice

❐ Local correspondent

Ordinary fishermen have now stood up against the long-standing syndicate and extortion at Rani Rashmoni Ghat, one of the main hilsa warehouses in Chittagong. The fishermen, who are victims of extortion at the Ghat and are fed up, took to the streets yesterday, Wednesday, June 24, to stage an exceptional and unprecedented protest.

Going beyond the usual processions and gatherings, the fishermen staged this symbolic protest by placing fish, ice, and cooking gas cylinders, the mainstays of their livelihood, in a row on the main road.

Eyewitnesses and protesting fishermen said that a vested interest group has been forcibly extorting money from fishermen at the Rani Rashmoni Hilsa Ghat for a long time. Due to this extortion, ordinary fishermen and trawler owners have faced extreme financial losses.

After repeatedly informing the administration but no permanent solution was found, the fishermen took to the streets in unison this morning.

As part of the protest, they brought fresh fish, ice blocks, and gas cylinders used in boats from the store and lined them up on the road. As a result, traffic in the area came to a standstill for a while. A crowd of eager people gathered on the road to see this unique and unusual protest by the fishermen.

The protesting fishermen said that this is just a symbolic expression of their anger. If extortion at the wharf is not completely stopped and the safety of the fishermen is not ensured, they will be forced to take a more stringent action.

The protesters have also announced that they will submit a formal memorandum to the relevant higher authorities demanding that the main perpetrators of this extortion syndicate be identified and legal action taken immediately.

Local businessmen and common people have expressed solidarity with the fishermen’s justifiable movement. According to them, if extortion at the Hilsa Ghat is not stopped, the price of fish in the market will go beyond the reach of the common people.

Although the fishermen had removed the fish and ice from the road by the afternoon, as assured by the administration, tension still prevailed at the pier.