Ninety Bangladeshi fishermen and sailors who were held or sheltered in India have safely returned home.

Besides, the Bangladesh Coast Guard returned 95 Indian fishermen, detained for illegal fishing in Bangladeshi waters, to the Indian Coast Guard. 

Lieutenant Commander Md. Siam-ul-Haque, media officer of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, said that six Indian fishing boats with 95 fishermen were detained for unauthorized fishing near the Bangladesh-India maritime boundary.

Meanwhile, 12 Bangladeshi fishermen were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard after their boat sank during rough weather on September 12, and 78 others were detained on December 9 for fishing in Indian waters.

Following diplomatic efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a prisoner exchange agreement was reached, facilitating the transfer. 

On January 5, under Coast Guard supervision, the exchange was carried out along the International Maritime Boundary Line.

BDST: 1110 HRS, JAN 7, 2025
MSK/SMS