Staff Reporter :
The reciprocal repatriation of 95 Indian fishermen/crew detained in Bangladesh and 90 Bangladeshi fishermen/crew detained in India has begun on Thursday, which is expected to be completed on 5 January.
Bangladesh Coast Guard has initiated the process of handing over 95 Indian fishermen/crew members to the Indian Coast Guard and receiving 90 Bangladeshi fishermen/crew members, Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Furthermore, two Bangladeshi fishing vessels detained in India and six Indian fishing boats detained in Bangladesh will also be exchanged between the two Coast Guards.
This repatriation process is being facilitated through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Bangladesh Police, local administration, and other relevant agencies.
After the handing over on 5 January at the International Maritime Border, the Bangladeshi fishermen/crew, along with their fishing vessels, are expected to return to Chattogram in the afternoon of 6 January.
Bangladeshi authorities detained total 95 Indian fishermen and six fishing boats inside Bangladesh Waters during October and November 2024.
“Today the 95 Indian fishermen/crew members, who were held in Bagerhat and Patuakhali District Jails, have been released,” Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told the journalists at the ministry.
On the other hand, near the international maritime boundary, a total of 78 Bangladeshi fishermen/crew aboard two fishing vessels FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5 were detained by Indian authorities on 9 December 2024.
Furthermore, 12 Bangladeshi fishermen/crew members who were detained by Indian authorities on 12 September 2024, after their fishing boat FB Kaushik sank due to adverse weather conditions, have already been released from jails.
The 78 Bangladeshi fishermen/crew members are held in Paradeep, Odisha, India under the supervision of Indian Coast Guard while 12 Bangladeshi fishermen are held in Kakdwip, West Bengal, India.
