In a development that may further strain diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh, 34 Indian fishermen from West Bengal were arrested by the Bangladesh Navy for allegedly crossing into Bangladeshi territorial waters unintentionally while fishing in the Bay of Bengal, near the Sundarbans. The arrests took place near Mongla port, a strategic maritime hub in southern Bangladesh, late on Monday night.
The fishermen, who had set sail from Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, were aboard two trawlers, FB Jhar and FB Mangalchandi 38, both of which have been confiscated by Bangladeshi authorities.
According to the Bangladesh Navy, the Indian trawlers crossed into Bangladeshi maritime territory late at night and were fishing illegally. A Bangladeshi patrol ship spotted and intercepted the vessels, arresting all onboard.
“The arrested fishermen, along with the seized trawlers, were taken to Mongla port. The Fisheries and Shipping Department of Bangladesh has confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated against the detainees,” said an official of Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Also read: India, Bangladesh complete repatriation of 185 detained fishermen
The incident has sparked concern and anxiety in the coastal villages of Kakdwip and Namkhana, where the families of the arrested fishermen are anxiously awaiting news. “I got a call from Bangladesh saying they have been taken to the police station. They said they are fine for now. But I will not get peace until they return home,” said a distressed family member of one of the fishermen.
In response, the West Bengal state fisheries department has swung into action. Administrative sources confirmed that they are in constant touch with the Indian Embassy in Dhaka to expedite the return of the fishermen. Meanwhile, questions are being raised over the functionality of GPS navigation systems installed on fishing vessels, as errors may have led to the accidental border breach.
Satinath Patra of the Sundarbans Maritime Fishermen Workers Union expressed concern over the recurring nature of such incidents. “This has happened before. Just as our trawlers have mistakenly entered their waters, theirs have entered ours. Earlier, such cases were not given this level of attention. This time, more caution is needed,” he said.
The incident has reignited concerns over maritime security and border management in the region. Authorities and experts are calling for heightened awareness, better navigational equipment, and stronger bilateral communication to prevent similar occurrences in future.
In January this year, coast guard personnel of both the countries handed over 185 Indian and Bangladeshi fishermen, who were arrested for crossing maritime border, to each other at the international maritime border in the Bay of Bengal. ICG authorities brought 78 Bangladeshi fishermen to Haldia in Bengal from Odisha’s Paradip from where they were arrested.
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