Mongla, Oct 19 (V7N) — The Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard intercepted and arrested 48 Indian fishermen along with three fishing trawlers for illegally fishing within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. The arrests took place on Thursday near the fairway adjacent to Mongla port.

According to Mongla police, the fishermen were found fishing illegally in Bangladesh waters when they were apprehended by Navy and Coast Guard vessels patrolling the area. The arrested individuals, along with their trawlers, were brought to the Navy and Coast Guard headquarters in Mongla on Thursday night.

The authorities reported that 2,700 kg of hilsa fish recovered from the trawlers was sold at auction for Tk 3,25,000. At 4 p.m. the same day, the detained fishermen and their trawlers were handed over to Mongla police station.

Officer-in-charge of Mongla Police Station, Anisur Rahman, confirmed that separate cases are being prepared by the Coast Guard and Navy. He added that after the case is filed, the arrested fishermen will be transferred to Bagerhat Jail on Friday afternoon.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions over fishing rights and maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal.

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