After a three-month ordeal, 14 Indian fishermen who had been detained in Bangladesh have finally returned home. The fishermen were handed over to their families at the Fraserganj fishing harbour in South 24 Parganas on Sunday, bringing relief and emotional scenes for their loved ones.
According to sources, the fishermen had set sail on October 13 last year from Kultali aboard the fishing trawler FB Shubhayatra for deep-sea fishing. On October 19, the trawler’s engine developed a fault in the middle of the sea, causing it to drift into Bangladeshi territorial waters. The Bangladeshi Navy subsequently apprehended the fishermen on charges of illegal entry, following which they were sent to judicial custody on the orders of a court in Bagerhat district.
The prolonged detention caused severe anxiety among the families of the fishermen, who were unsure about the process of securing their release. Diplomatic efforts were later initiated by the Indian authorities to facilitate the return of the fishermen.
On Saturday, the exchange of detained fishermen between India and Bangladesh was completed at the India-Bangladesh maritime border in the presence of officials from the coast guards of both countries. India received 23 fishermen during the exchange, while 115 Bangladeshi fishermen were handed over to Bangladesh.
Of the 23 Indian fishermen repatriated, 14 are residents of Kakdwip, Kultali and Hooghly in West Bengal, while the remaining nine belong to Andhra Pradesh. On Sunday, the fishermen were formally handed over to their families at the Fraserganj port in the presence of Kakdwip Sub-Divisional Officer Pritam Saha and senior officials of the police and coast guard.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the harbour as family members reunited with their loved ones. The fishermen, visibly moved after returning home, expressed gratitude to the government and authorities for their efforts in securing their release.
Also read: WB CM Mamta Banerjee moves SC against ECI over SIR
Follow us
