Dispute Over Fish Harvesting at Leased Pond, Former Lessee Alleges Fish Loot

A dispute over harvesting fish from a leased government pond in Phulbari, Dinajpur, has led to allegations that the new highest bidder removed fish worth nearly Tk 600,000 from the pond.

The allegation was made by the pond’s former lessee, Sri Purna Chandra Das, at a press conference held Saturday morning at Rabeya Community Center in Phulbari. The new highest bidder, Nurul Master, denied the allegation.

Phulbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ahmed Hasan said the new bidder has not yet deposited the full lease amount with the government treasury. As a result, the new lease has not officially taken effect. He also said the former lessee cannot legally harvest fish under the current circumstances and that the matter would be handled according to law if it goes to court.

In a written statement at the press conference, Purna Chandra Das said he had leased and farmed fish in the pond for nearly 24 years under government rules, regularly paying taxes and VAT.

The pond, measuring about 4 acres and 55 decimals, is located in Plot No. 1608 under Khatian No. 1 in Kajihal Union of Phulbari Upazila. It is classified as vested property.

According to Das, the previous three-year lease expired, and an open auction for government-owned and vested-property ponds was held on July 23. He said he bid up to Tk 830,000, while Nurul Master offered the highest bid of Tk 971,000.

Das claimed that fish worth around Tk 600,000 remained in the pond. He alleged that on the night of July 27, Nurul Master and several others entered the pond and removed the fish without giving him an opportunity to harvest them.

He further alleged that the fish were removed before the lease money had been deposited with the government treasury, with the involvement of some members of the pond auction committee.

Das said he tried to contact the UNO and Assistant Commissioner (Land) that night but received no response. After he informed Phulbari police, officers went to the site and detained a pickup truck loaded with fish and fishing nets. He alleged that the vehicle and equipment were later released on instructions from senior authorities.

He said the Assistant Commissioner (Land) later advised him to seek relief through a civil court.

Das demanded an investigation, compensation for the alleged loss and legal action against those responsible.

“I legally became the highest bidder for the pond. The previous lessee was asked to remove his fish, but he did not do so and instead tried to drain the pond using a machine. We prevented him from doing so. The allegation of fish looting is not correct,” he said.

UNO Ahmed Hasan said the pond had been leased through an open auction, but the highest bidder had not yet paid the full lease amount to the government treasury.

“The pond has been leased through an open auction. However, the highest bidder has not yet deposited the full amount with the government treasury, so the pond has not formally been handed over to him,” he said.

He added that the former lessee also could not legally harvest fish under the circumstances. If the matter is taken to court, the authorities will act according to the law.