Following a period of detention by the Indian Coast Guard, 90 Bangladeshi fishermen and sailors have returned to Bangladesh, arriving at Chattogram's Patenga on Tuesday (7 January).
The fishermen, aboard the vessels FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5, were part of a mutual exchange that also saw the release of 95 Indian fishermen detained in Bangladesh.
The exchange, conducted on 5 January, involved the return of 90 Bangladeshi fishermen and sailors, who had been apprehended on 9 December for allegedly fishing within Indian territorial waters.
The FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5, owned by SR Fishing and C&F Agro Limited respectively, were captured near Hiron Point in the Khulna region and taken to Paradeep, Odisha, where legal proceedings followed.
Prior to this, the FV Laila-2 had set sail on 27 November with 41 crew members, intending to return on 20 December, while the FV Meghna-5, with 37 onboard, had left on 24 November, scheduled to return on 14 December.
Both vessels were detained for allegedly encroaching into Indian waters and subsequently, the crew members were placed in custody under charges of illegal entry.
In a separate incident on 12 September, the Bangladeshi fishing boat FV Kaushik capsized due to adverse weather, leading to the detention of 12 Bangladeshi fishermen by the Indian Coast Guard, who were also charged with illegal entry and held in custody.
The release and return of the fishermen and their vessels mark a significant resolution in ongoing maritime disputes between Bangladesh and India.
