Three fishermen’s bodies recovered in Netrokona

The bodies of three missing fishermen, who reportedly jumped into the Dhanu river while being chased by villagers in Khaliajuri upazila of Netrokona, were recovered yesterday afternoon.

Local police and fire service personnel retrieved the bodies from the river in Rasulpur area around 3:00pm.

Khaliajuri Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mokbul Hossain confirmed their identities as Shahid Mia, 45, Rukun Mia, 42, and Hridoy Mia, 32.

However, another individual, identified as Yasin Mia, 21, remains missing.

Additional Superintendent of Police Saheb Ali Pathan confirmed the body recovery and assured that security forces remain on high alert. Legal action is underway, he said.

According to local sources and police, tensions had been brewing for the last few days as fishermen from various areas were allegedly fishing illegally in government-leased water bodies in Khaliajuri using traditional fishing tools known as Polo.

On Saturday morning, hundreds of fishermen armed with Polos and sticks attempted to fish in one of the water bodies.

When the fishermen tried to cross the Dhanu river via the ferry at Rasulpur Ghat, villagers blocked their passage, leading to a heated altercation. The confrontation escalated when the fishermen reportedly attacked Rasulpur market and nearby homes, sparking a violent clash.

During the violence, at least 50 people were injured, and several shops, homes, and vehicles were vandalised or set on fire. Police and army personnel intervened to restore order. Amid the chaos, several fishermen jumped into the river to escape, with four going missing.

Since yesterday morning, a heavy police presence, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Saheb Ali Pathan, managed to prevent further clashes. However, following the recovery of the bodies, fresh unrest erupted, prompting additional police and army reinforcements to be deployed.

A resident from Puranhati village, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that over the past two weeks, large groups from different upazilas had been looting fish from several government-leased water bodies in Khaliajuri.