, May 17 -- The tranquil waters of the mighty Meghna River have turned into a graveyard for aquatic life once again.

From early Friday morning, hundreds of lifeless fish of various indigenous species were seen floating along the riverbanks stretching from Shatnol to Dashani in Matlab Uttar upazila, triggering alarm and anguish among local fishermen and riverside communities.

An on-spot visit on Friday revealed that the stench of decaying fish now hangs heavy in the air, while the once-pristine river, a lifeline for thousands, bears the scars of pollution and neglect.

Locals claimed that the unchecked discharge of toxic industrial waste and chemically contaminated water continues to poison the Meghna, rendering it unfit for both human u...