West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed 95 Indian fishermen upon their return from Bangladesh on Monday. The fishermen, hailing from Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district, had been arrested by the Bangladesh Coast Guard in October and November 2024 for allegedly fishing in Bangladeshi waters. Six Indian fishing vessels were also seized. Their release followed a mutual repatriation agreement between India and Bangladesh, with India returning 90 Bangladeshi fishermen in exchange. This included twelve crew members from a capsized Bangladeshi trawler, along with two Bangladeshi fishing vessels.
Banerjee, who was in Sagar Island reviewing preparations for the Gangasagar Mela, emphasized the importance of adhering to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing in the Bay of Bengal. She expressed concern over the reported poor health of some fishermen, who claimed to have been beaten by Bangladeshi authorities. This contrasted sharply, she noted, with India’s treatment of Bangladeshi fishermen apprehended in Indian waters, who received medical care and adequate food.
The repatriation process involved a coordinated effort between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian government, and the West Bengal government. On December 9th, 2024, the ICG apprehended two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers and 78 fishermen fishing in Indian waters. These, along with the crew of the sunken Bangladeshi boat ‘Kausik,’ were subsequently repatriated, escorted by ICGS Varad and ICGS Amrit Kaur. The Indian fishermen were formally handed over to the South 24 Parganas district magistrate at Sagar Island on Monday morning. The Chief Minister reiterated the friendly relations between India and Bangladesh while highlighting the need for responsible fishing practices to prevent future incidents.