Meghalaya bans illegally imported fish from Bangladesh in two districts

Authorities in Meghalaya have banned the transport, storage and sale of ‘illegally imported’ fish from Bangladesh in at least two districts following reports of unregulated consignments entering the state through porous border routes, officials said on Monday.

East Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts imposed the ban due to public health and biosecurity concerns, they said.

In East Khasi Hills, the District Magistrate-in-charge issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, stating that “the transportation, storage, sale or distribution of fish illegally imported from Bangladesh without valid legal documents is hereby prohibited within the jurisdiction of East Khasi Hills District.”

A similar order was also issued by the Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills district.

The order also prohibits “the use of any vehicle, vessel, boat or other means of transportation, and assisting, harboring or facilitating any individual or group engaged in such illegal activities,” the order said.

According to the order, reports have been received that “illegal transportation of fish from Bangladesh is taking place through various border routes, river channels, roads and market points within the state”, with the possibility of such consignments entering the district through multiple channels.

It said the illegal transportation and introduction of unregulated fish violates customs, import-export and food safety regulations and “carries the potential of introducing diseased or restricted species.”

The order warned of broader implications, noting that “the illegal, uncontrolled and uncertified sale and distribution of these foreign-origin fish poses a serious risk to public health and sanitation, adversely impacts the biosecurity of the local aquatic ecosystem and causes economic losses to legitimate fishmongers and the state government.”

Any person found violating the order “shall be liable for action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and other relevant statutory provisions including the Customs Act, the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act,” the report said.

The ban order has come into effect immediately and “will remain in force until further notice,” the district administration added.

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