AGARTALA, May 25 (TIWN): In the middle of the night on May 23, influential people of the city robbed 2,000 kg of fish from the traditional Kamalasagar Dighi near Kasba Kalibari. The Kamalasagar Bazar Committee and the Panchayat officials, including the Dighi and Mandir Management Committee, got amazed to hear about the daring theft. The local people and traders condemned the incident.

It is alleged that the mafia, sheltered by the ruling party, looted more than 1000 kg of fish from this tank a few months ago but the chairperson of Kasba Kalibari and Tourism Management Committee, MP Pratima Bhowmik hasn’t uttered a word yet about the incident.

The treasurer of the society and the secretary of Kamalasagar panchayat are trembling with fear to open mouth against the ruling party leader on whose instruction the thefts are taking place. The same situation is with the secretary of the market committee.

Based on sources, a week back, a group of fishermen came to catch fish from the lake at night. The BSF prohibited fishing at night without legal permission. But this time, seeing the letter of an influential leader in the hands of the robbers, the guard police, even the BSF, couldn’t stop them. Late at night, a team of smart thieves brought fishermen from Smart City and stole 2,000 kg of fish.

It is reported that the huge tank was drained for about 3 hours from 2 pm and the fish worth several lakhs was loaded in different vehicles and taken to store in some yard at Battala market in Agartala.

Meanwhile, area MLA Narayan Chowdhury has expressed his indignation over the news. He said during the Left Front period fishing from that lake was banned. He demanded to investigate the whole matter and punish the culprits.

On the other hand, when Bishalgarh SDM, Jayant Bhattacharya was asked about this on the telephone, he said that he did not know anything. Bishalgarh Block Chairperson Chhanda Debbarma, the vice-chairman of the society, also said that she was unaware of this. 

Earlier on December 31, 2020, a similar theft was witnessed in the famous Durga bari pond when the priest of the temple caught BJP Yuva Morcha President, Vikki Prasad’s hired fisherman while stealing fish. Vicky’s hired fisherman claimed that such unlawful activities are running for 3 years. Though it is illegal to exploit the government’s land in such a manner yet Vicky and his friend Kartik can run the business as they have got good terms with the top leaders of the ruling party. Later the police went to the spot and took the fisherman in West PS.

However, the theft of carp is organized. Their vans have tanks in the back and they either net the fish or have anglers fishing. A runner will go to the angler with a suitcase to put the live fish in, then load it into the van.