Legal notice seeks ban on export of 3,000 tonnes of hilsa to India

A legal notice has been served to the authorities concerned seeking actions within three days to stop the export of 3,000 tonnes of hilsa to India.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan sent the notice to the commerce secretary, NBR chairman, fisheries and livestock secretary and chief controller of the export and import office today (22 September).

The notice said if the authorities fail to take action within the stipulated time, a writ petition will be filed with the High Court in this regard.

Hilsa being exported upon 'special request' from India for Durga Puja: Fisheries adviser

Protesting the decision to export the hilsa on the occasion of the Durga puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, the notice said the hilsa is a fish which is found in several countries including Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. But this fish becomes more delicious when it comes to the Padma River in Bangladesh from the sea.

As neighbouring India has a vast maritime area and a plenty of hilsa is produced in their territory, so there is no need to export hilsa to the country, the notice reads, adding that India only imports those found in the Padma River.

Indian agents in Bangladesh and fish exporters stock the hilsa of the river round the year and export to India upon approval by the government, depriving the country's people, it says.