Bangladesh navy detains 31 Indian fishermen for illegal entry
- In Reports
- 03:52 PM, Oct 19, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Bangladesh Navy has detained 31 Indian fishermen and seized two fishing trawlers, FB Basanti and FB Jai Jagannath, for illegally entering Bangladeshi territorial waters. The detained fishermen are residents of Kakdwip in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. According to the Bangladesh Navy, the fishermen not only crossed into their territory but also attempted to fish during a 22-day fishing ban currently in effect in Bangladesh, aimed at protecting marine resources.
Lt. Md Mosiul Islam, the commanding officer of BNS Shaheed Akhtar Uddin, stated on Wednesday that foreign vessels were detected on radar and captured after a chase. "When the trawlers tried to flee, BNS Shaheed Akhtar Uddin pursued and detained them within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary," he explained at a press conference at Payra Port. The detained fishermen and vessels were taken to Patuakhali and handed over to Kolapara police for legal action.
Manturam Pakhira, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Kakdwip, reported that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached out to him to inquire about the situation. "All are very worried. The chief minister said that the state government will try their best to help the detained fishermen return to India," Pakhira added.
In light of the incident, the West Bengal Fishermen Association has issued a stern warning to its members, urging them to refrain from venturing beyond Indian territorial waters for fishing. Joy Prakash Haldar, a spokesperson for the association, emphasized the importance of adhering to guidelines. "It’s a regrettable incident… We have repeatedly made it clear that we cannot be held responsible for anyone who is apprehended while fishing in Bangladesh waters," he stated. Haldar noted that the association has instructed fishermen to avoid crossing the Indian border, a rule implemented approximately 10 years ago. Since then, between 350 and 400 fishermen have been detained by Bangladeshi authorities.
A member of the association remarked that the boats of the detained fishermen lacked modern technology for precise location tracking, leading to their unintentional entry into Bangladesh waters. "All trawlers and boats should be equipped with GPS to avoid such incidents. Navigation systems are essential for safe and legal fishing," he stressed. Fishermen have also raised concerns regarding the absence of physical demarcation in the sea, unlike land borders, making it challenging to determine the exact boundary without modern technology.
Comments