West Bengal Chief Minister Engages with Repatriated Fishermen During Sagar Island Visit
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Kolkata, Jan 6 (NationPress) During her visit to Sagar Island, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee interacted with 95 Indian fishermen who had just returned from Bangladesh and advised them to steer clear of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) when fishing in the Bay of Bengal.
Banerjee was on an official trip to Sagar Island to assess the preparations for the upcoming Gangasagar Mela and had previously indicated her intention to meet with the fishermen.
The fishermen, hailing from Kakdwip in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, had been detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard in October and November 2024 for allegedly fishing within Bangladeshi waters.
Additionally, six Indian fishing vessels were confiscated by Bangladeshi authorities.
These fishermen were returned to India on Sunday following a mutual repatriation agreement between India and Bangladesh.
In exchange, India sent back 90 Bangladeshi fishermen, twelve of whom had drifted into Indian waters after their trawler capsized.
India also returned two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers.
On December 9, 2024, in a significant operation aimed at enhancing maritime security, the Indian Coast Guard apprehended two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers, FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5, along with 78 fishermen who were fishing in Indian waters. The Indian government approved the repatriation of these fishermen along with the two trawlers. Furthermore, the 12-member crew of the sunken Bangladeshi fishing boat Kausik was also set to be returned,” stated a spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Kolkata.
The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad and ICGS Amrit Kaur escorted the 90 Bangladeshi fishermen to the IMBL on Sunday.
After completing the necessary documentation onboard the Bangladeshi Coast Guard Ship Kamaruzzaman, ICGS Varad and ICGS Amrut Kaur proceeded to Sagar Island with the 95 Indian fishermen.
The fishermen were officially handed over to the district magistrate of South 24 Parganas at Sagar Island at 11:30 a.m. on Monday.
“This operation highlights the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian government, the West Bengal government, and the Indian Coast Guard to maintain friendly maritime relations between India and Bangladesh,” added the MoD spokesperson.
The Chief Minister emphasized the friendly ties shared by India and Bangladesh.
However, she expressed concern over the health conditions of some Indian fishermen who were limping.
The fishermen reported that they were mistreated during their detention by the Bangladeshi authorities.
The Chief Minister contrasted this with the treatment received by Bangladeshi fishermen apprehended in Indian waters, who were provided with medical assistance and adequate food during their time in detention.
