Why Did the ICG Detain 26 Bangladeshi Fishermen in Indian Waters?
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Synopsis
In a significant enforcement action, the Indian Coast Guard has detained 26 Bangladeshi fishermen for illegally entering Indian waters in the Bay of Bengal. This incident raises concerns about maritime violations and the state of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.
Key Takeaways
- ICG Detains 26 Bangladeshi Fishermen for violating Indian waters.
- Fraserganj Coast Police involved in handling the detained fishermen.
- Total of 55 fishermen apprehended in two days.
- Concerns raised over increasing maritime violations.
- Strained diplomatic relations affect the return of detained fishermen.
Kolkata, Nov 17 (NationPress) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has once again apprehended Bangladeshi fishermen for breaching Indian territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal. This time, a trawler carrying 26 fishermen was detained.
The fishermen have been transferred to the Fraserganj Coast Police Station located in the South 24 Parganas district and are scheduled to appear in the Kakdwip Sub-divisional court on Tuesday.
Previously, on Sunday, the ICG had detained another trawler with 29 Bangladeshi fishermen for a similar violation. In just two days, a total of 55 Bangladeshi fishermen have been taken into custody.
While patrolling the Bay of Bengal on Monday, the ICG identified the trawler and seized it. The trawler was promptly brought to the coastal region of Fraserganj, where the fishermen were handed over to law enforcement officials.
Officials have expressed alarm over the increasing instances of Bangladeshi trawlers encroaching into Indian waters, often with a large number of fishermen on board.
Satinath Patra, the Secretary of the Sundarban Fishermen Workers Union, remarked, "Yesterday, the ICG seized a Bangladeshi trawler named Amina. The Fraserganj Coastal Police arrested 29 fishermen from that trawler for violating Indian waters. This morning, the ICG captured another Bangladeshi trawler called FB Mayer Daya, which had 26 Bangladeshi fishermen on board. After detaining them, the ICG handed them over to the Fraserganj Coastal Police Station."
Patra further explained, "The reason behind the frequent violations by Bangladeshi trawlers and fishermen is under investigation. In better diplomatic times with Bangladesh, fishermen were often returned post discussions with the District Magistrate and the Home Ministry. Conversely, Bangladesh would also return Indian fishermen detained by their Coast Guard. However, current strained diplomatic relations have led to many Indian fishermen being incarcerated in Bangladesh. This has resulted in the detention of Bangladeshi fishermen entering Indian waters as well."
Recently, an Indian fisherman awaiting trial died under mysterious circumstances in a Bangladeshi jail, prompting increased security measures in coastal areas, which subsequently led to the latest trawler seizure.
In a previous incident in September, the ICG detained another trawler with 13 Bangladeshi fishermen, who were later arrested by the police.
Point of View
It is imperative to observe the situation with a balanced perspective. The continuous apprehension of Bangladeshi fishermen by the Indian Coast Guard highlights the critical need for better maritime cooperation and diplomacy between the two nations. While enforcing territorial integrity is essential, addressing the underlying causes of these violations through dialogue is equally important.
NationPress
17/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the ICG to detain Bangladeshi fishermen?
The Indian Coast Guard detained Bangladeshi fishermen for violating Indian territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal.
How many fishermen were detained recently?
Recently, a total of 55 Bangladeshi fishermen were detained in two incidents.
What are the implications of these detentions?
The detentions raise concerns about maritime violations and the current state of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.
What happened to the fishermen after their detention?
The detained fishermen were handed over to the Fraserganj Coast Police Station and are set to appear in court.
Is there an ongoing investigation regarding these violations?
Yes, the reasons behind the frequent violations by Bangladeshi trawlers are currently under investigation.
