Kolkata: Bengalis are willing to bend the law when it comes to sourcing hilsa fish, even if it comes at the cost of souring ties with its eastern neighbour, Bangladesh.
Tons of hilsa fish are being smuggled into West Bengal from Bangladesh across the international border, with customs and Border Security Force officials turning a blind eye towards the smugglers.
The price of the coveted fish has plummeted in the city’s markets. Last week, the fish was selling at Rs1,000 (Dh57) a kilogram. It has now plummeted to less than Rs300, making it affordable for the millions who cannot think of a proper Sunday lunch without the delicacy, especially during the monsoon season.
It is a commonly known fact that cows and motorbikes are regularly smuggled from India to Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh has banned exports of the fish since last year, citing unavailability in local markets.
Speaking to Gulf News, deputy commissioner of customs Shubhen Dasgupta said: “Through the Petrapole border, lots of fish are exported between the two countries. From last year only, Bangladesh has stopped the export of hilsa.”
However, diplomatic circles mostly see this export ban as revenge by Bangladesh against the Indian government, especially the West Bengal government, for not signing the Teesta water-sharing agreement.
Atul Das, a major importer of fish, said: “We had petitioned Bangladesh Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina. The issue had been raised at foreign secretary level and also by President Pranab Mukherjee when he went to Dhaka last year. But the government is just adamant.”
Speaking to Gulf News over phone, Abdul Latif Biswas, Bangladesh’s minister for fisheries and livestock, said: “There is a genuine scarcity of fish in our own markets. We know the fish is being smuggled into India. We are keeping a watch on the markets in border districts.”
When questioned about the export ban, Biswas said: “How can we supply fish when there is such scarcity of water [hinting at the Teesta water treaty]?” – Gulfnews via Google News
