Rajshahi, Oct 06 (V7N)- The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has arrested two Bangladeshi fishermen, Manik Uddin Sheikh (35) and Mofazzal Hossain Sheikh (40), from the middle of the Padma River near the Charghat border in Rajshahi. The fishermen, both from Chak Muktarpur village in Charghat upazila, were fishing in Bangladeshi waters when a strong current pushed their engine boat several hundred yards into Indian territory. A patrol team from the Kakmari border post of the BSF's 73rd Battalion apprehended them.

After their arrest, the BSF handed the fishermen over to Sagarpara police station in Murshidabad, West Bengal. They were subsequently sent to Lalbagh Jail on charges of illegal entry into India.

Colonel Motiul Islam Mondal, captain of the BGB-1 battalion in Rajshahi, stated that the fishermen were operating within Bangladeshi waters before being swept away by the current. Upon learning of their arrest, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) immediately proposed a flag meeting with the BSF. However, there was no prompt response from the Indian side.

Local sources indicated that on the afternoon of October 2, four Bangladeshi fishermen were fishing near the Yusuf border of Charghat in the Padma River when the strong current carried their boat into Indian waters. While two fishermen managed to swim back to Bangladesh, the other two were captured by the BSF along with their boat and nets.

Following the incident, the BGB increased patrols in the Bangladeshi portion of the Padma River, but local fishermen have refrained from fishing out of fear.

It is worth noting that the BGB had arrested two Indian nationals near the same Charghat border last Wednesday evening. Those individuals were handed over to Charghat police station and sent to jail the following day.

END/RA\AJ