91 fishermen return home from India

A total of 91 Bangladeshi fishermen, who had been detained in India for allegedly entering Indian waters while fishing, returned home along with their four fishing boats following coordinated diplomatic and coast guard efforts between the two neighbouring countries.

The fishermen and their boats were formally received by Bangladesh Coast Guard from Indian Coast Guard at the Bangladesh-India International Maritime Boundary Line on Sunday.

They were later handed over to their family members along with the fishing vessels at the Bangladesh Coast Guard Base in Mongla on Monday afternoon. Most of the repatriated fishermen are residents of Chattogram region.

Confirming the development, BCGS Commander Shah Kamruzzaman said the fishermen's return was made possible through close coordination between the coast guards of Bangladesh and India, alongside diplomatic initiatives undertaken by the two governments.

According to the Coast Guard, the Indian Coast Guard detained the 91 fishermen and seized the four Bangladeshi fishing boats in separate incidents in December last year and in January and February this year on allegations of illegal fishing in Indian territorial waters.

Following their arrest, the fishermen remained in Indian prisons until efforts by Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and continued coordination between the two coast guards led to an agreement on their repatriation.

TZ