Sherpur, Dec 10 (V7N) – India has repatriated six Bangladeshi fishermen who spent over a year in an Indian prison. On Tuesday afternoon, the fishermen were handed over to Bangladesh authorities at Nakugaon land port in Nalitabari Upazila, Sherpur, through immigration with the presence of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials. All six returnees are residents of various villages in Chilmari Upazila, Kurigram District.

According to police and BGB sources, the six fishermen had gone fishing in the local Jingiram River on November 4, 2024. Losing their way, they inadvertently crossed the India-Bangladesh border and were apprehended by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). The BSF transferred them to Kalaichar Patrol Police Station in Meghalaya, India. After completing legal procedures there, the Indian police sent them to Tura prison.

Subsequently, the BSF coordinated with BGB and Bangladesh authorities to repatriate the fishermen. Their citizenship and residential addresses were verified by local police and community leaders in Kurigram. After completing all legal formalities between the two countries, the six fishermen were officially handed over to Bangladesh police on the afternoon of December 9 at Nakugaon immigration checkpoint.

The six repatriated fishermen are:

Russel Mia (35), son of Abul Hossain from Harinerband village, Joragacha, Chilmari Upazila, Amer Ali (35), son of Fakir Ali from Byapari Para, Chilmari Upazil, Biplob Mia (45), son of Bahadur from Byapari Para, Romna area, Mir Jafar Ali (45), son of Md. Ishak Ali from Byapari Para, Chilmari Upazila, Bakul Mia (32), younger brother of Mir Jafar Al, and Chan Mia (60), son of Shalim Uddin Byapari from Bakbada Byapari Para, Jadurchar

Nalitabari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman confirmed that the fishermen had been detained in India since November 4, 2024, and after more than a year in custody, they were returned to their families following completion of all legal formalities.

END/TG/SMA/