128 Bangladeshi fishermen were released from Indian custody and handed over to their families on Friday.
Simultaneously, 23 Indian fishermen detained in Bangladesh were returned to India under the same agreement.
The transfer of prisoners took place under the supervision of Bangladesh and Indian Coast Guards as part of a bilateral prisoner exchange arrangement.
Commander Shah Kamruzzaman, head of Bangladesh Coast Guard’s Western Zone, confirmed the release at a press briefing at Western Zone headquarters.
According to Commander Kamruzzaman, the 128 Bangladeshi fishermen were detained by Indian Coast Guard last year on November 16, 17, 19 and 30 for alleged illegal fishing in Indian waters.
Following diplomatic negotiations between the two countries’ foreign ministries, a decision was made to exchange the prisoners.
On Wednesday (January 29), the exchange took place in western Bay of Bengal near the IMBL (India–Bangladesh Maritime Boundary Line), where Bangladeshi Coast Guard received five fishing boats; FB Adib 2, FB Mayer Doya, FB Nure Madina, FB Amina Goni and FB Allah Malik, along with 128 fishermen.
The fishermen were subsequently handed over to their families from Coast Guard headquarters on Friday, while the boats were returned to their owners.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Navy had detained 23 Indian fishermen and two fishing boats; FB Shubho Jatra and FB Oni 2, on October 18 and 23 last year for illegal fishing within Bangladesh waters near the international maritime border.
These fishermen and boats were handed back to Indian Coast Guard under the same prisoner exchange agreement.
JU/SH
