24 hours on, fate of 34 detained Indian fishermen in Bangladesh uncertain
Top officials of the state administration are in touch with the Indian Embassy in Dhaka to facilitate an early release
2 min read
The fishermen were reportedly taken to Mongla Port by Bangladesh authorities. (PTI Photo)Over 24 hours after they were detained by the Bangladesh Navy, 34 Indian fishermen from Kakdwip in South 24-Parganas have still not been released. The fishermen were allegedly apprehended late Monday night for crossing into Bangladeshi waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal.
Two trawlers, FB Jhar and FB Mangalchandi, were seized during the operation. The fishermen were reportedly taken to Mongla Port by Bangladesh authorities.
“The arrested fishermen and their seized trawlers have been taken to Mongla Port. The fishermen likely crossed the maritime border accidentally due to adverse weather conditions,” said a source from West Bengal’s Kakdwip. A Bangladeshi patrol ship is believed to have intercepted the trawlers before escorting them to port.
Top officials of the state administration are in touch with the Indian Embassy in Dhaka to facilitate the early release of the detained fishermen.
“This is an international matter, and in past incidents, our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has personally intervened to ensure the safe return of fishermen detained in Bangladesh. There will be no exception this time, and I urge the families not to worry,” said Manturam Pakhira, MLA from Kakdwip.
Satinath Patra of the Sundarbans Maritime Fishermen Workers Union called for a broader resolution to such recurring incidents. “This isn’t new. Just as our trawlers have inadvertently crossed into their waters, theirs have entered ours,” he said. “Previously, these situations were resolved with less tension.”
South 24 Parganas District Magistrate Sumit Gupta said: “So far, there is no development. We have informed the state administration and they will take up the issue with the concerned authorities.”
In October last year, 95 Indian fishermen and six trawlers were detained by Bangladesh authorities. They were released nearly three months later after serving time in prison.
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