At the break of dawn, fishermen from Kawadighi Haor and the Kushiara River converge on the Wapda–Kashimpur market in Rajnagar, Moulvibazar, laden with baskets of fish caught overnight. For more than two decades, this long-standing market has been a daily fixture, operating for just two hours each morning, yet earning a reputation for offering some of the freshest haor and river fish in the region.
The market is a bustling hub of commerce, with fish worth lakhs of taka changing hands every day. Buyers travel not only from Moulvibazar town but also from distant villages, drawn by the opportunity to purchase prime catches. On Friday morning, the scene was animated as sellers hurried to deposit their fish at the auction points. Once bidding commenced, prospective buyers crowded the stalls, and the highest bid determined ownership. Following the auction, sellers either completed additional sales or returned home with any remaining stock.
Most of the buyers are retailers, who subsequently sell the fish at rural markets or deliver them directly to households. A rich variety of species is available, including koi, chang, punti, mokha, kakkia, boal, grass carp, karfu, rui, prawn, chanda, and other local types. The abundance and diversity of fish make it a key destination for anyone seeking high-quality haor and river produce.
The market’s atmosphere is further enhanced by a variety of secondary vendors, offering ducks, chickens, vegetables, betel leaf, tea, cigarettes, and breakfast items. Local resident Ashik Mia emphasises that the market exclusively sells wild-caught fish from Kawadighi Haor and the Kushiara River, with no farmed fish on offer.
According to auctioneer Akhlu Mia, daily sales at the two main auction stalls routinely reach lakhs of taka, with many additional transactions occurring informally outside the auction process. The market’s short but intense trading window, from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m., ensures a flurry of activity as both sellers and buyers complete their business before the morning sun rises high.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Wapda–Kashimpur Market, Rajnagar, Moulvibazar |
| Operating Hours | 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. |
| Main Suppliers | Kawadighi Haor and Kushiara River fishermen |
| Types of Fish Available | Koi, chang, punti, mokha, kakkia, boal, grass carp, karfu, rui, prawn, chanda, others |
| Daily Turnover | Lakhs of taka |
| Buyers | Retailers for rural markets and door-to-door sales |
| Additional Stalls | Ducks, chickens, vegetables, betel leaf, tea, cigarettes, breakfast items |
The market’s enduring popularity reflects both the quality of its products and the vibrancy of its community, making it a vital economic and social hub in Moulvibazar.