AGARTALA, October 3 (TIWN): On the eve of Vijaya Dashami, non-availability of Bangla fish appears as a bolt from the blue for the Bengalees of Tripura. This year the grand feast on Vijaya Dashami may remain incomplete without the large size fish of, Hilsa, Rohi, Katla and other delicious fishes from Bangladesh. Speaking to TIWN, Minister of Fisheries Department, Khagendra Jamatia could not pronounce any surety to the people about the availability of sufficient fish.On this matter, while speaking to the Secretary of Export and Import association at Tripura, Mr. Habul Biswas informed to TIWN that, “Every year on Ashtami and Nabami import of fish from Bangladesh comes to Tripura. But this year due to national holiday on 2nd October in India and holiday of Eid at Bangladesh, import and export was not possible.”

According to the Hindu rituals, Vijaya Dashami also known as Dasara, Dashahara, Navaratri, Durgotdsav is one of the very important & fascinating festivals of India, which is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin (usually in September or October) from the Shukla Paksha Pratipada (the next of the New moon day of Bhadrapada) to the Dashami or the tenth day of Ashwin. On this day Bengalees greet each other and spend time with their near and dear ones.  Having a grandfeast with “Sorsa Elish”,” Hilsa macher paturi”,” Rohi Macher Kalia” etc. But this year it would be little bit difficult.  Therefore, the people have to depend on the illegal supply, especially of Hilsa to fulfill their demand.

Mr. Biswas further informed that on these two days the Indian side border remained open specially to import the fish. While a formal meeting has been done with the Secretary and other officers of export and import association located at Bangladesh, but their say is that this would not be possible in such a short notice situation as from Friday Eid holiday already started in this neighboring country. Though the supply of hilsa fish from Bangladesh was officially suspended from the year 2012.So, Bengalees having no other alternative but to celebrate Vijaya Dashami in a simple manner with local fish. It is to be mentioned here that the border would remain close till October 9^th.

Minister of Fisheries Department, Mr Jamatia could also not be able to give surety for the Supply of fish. Minister informed that no fish from Dambur will also be supplied to the markets of Agartala. However, he mentioned that some Government fish counters has been set up at Sub-divisions like Udaipur, Amarpur, Teliamura etc. So, the smuggled supply of fish is the only way to meet the demands of Bengalees in Tripura.