79 Indian fishermen arrested by Bangladesh for crossing maritime border, families await release

In early October, 79 Indian fishermen from South 24 Parganas, Kakdwip, and Namkhana in West Bengal were arrested by the Bangladesh Coast Guard for allegedly crossing into Bangladesh's maritime waters. The fishermen were fishing in the Bay of Bengal, primarily targeting hilsa, when they were detained by Bangladesh's coast guard and navy. Along with the fishermen, five fishing trawlers were also seized by the Bangladesh authorities. According to the Bangladesh Coast Guard, the fishermen violated the country's territorial waters, prompting the arrest.

The detained fishermen have been held in Bangladesh jails for over a month, with no clear timeline for their release. Their families, based in the coastal regions of West Bengal, are facing significant distress due to the uncertainty surrounding their fate. Efforts are being made by local fisherfolk organizations and families to establish contact with the Bangladesh Embassy for intervention, although no official statement on the matter has been issued yet by the Bangladesh authorities.

This maritime dispute comes amid increasing tension between India and Bangladesh, with the issue of cross-border arrests becoming a point of contention. The situation has further been complicated by political developments in Bangladesh, including the arrest of a religious figure, Chinmoy Krishna Das, which has led to protests and heightened public sentiment in both countries. The resolution of this case will depend on diplomatic discussions between the two governments, though the fate of the fishermen remains uncertain.