Chattogram, Jan 08, (V7N) – The bustling morning at Patenga’s jetty was filled with emotion as families eagerly awaited the return of their loved ones. By 9:15 AM, the much-awaited vessels—one from the Bangladesh Coast Guard, FV Laila-2, and FV Meghna-5—arrived at the port, bringing back 90 Bangladeshi fishermen and sailors who had been detained by the Indian Coast Guard. The reunion was nothing short of emotional, with families expressing relief and joy as they embraced their returning loved ones.

Mohammad Habib, the father of fisherman Atikur Rahman, shared his heartfelt sentiments, saying, “Having my son back feels like reclaiming the stars. The past month has been filled with sleepless nights and endless worry."

Background to the Detainment

The fishermen and sailors were detained by the Indian Coast Guard on December 9, 2023, on charges of fishing illegally in Indian waters. FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5, which carried 78 crew members, were seized and taken to India. The situation took a turn when 12 sailors from FV Kaushik, which sank in a storm on September 9, 2023, were also detained after being rescued by the Indian authorities.

Through diplomatic channels, Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated talks, resulting in an agreement to release the detained fishermen and sailors. On January 5, 2024, Bangladesh handed over 95 Indian fishermen and six of their vessels in the Hiron Point area. In exchange, India released 90 Bangladeshi fishermen and returned two vessels to the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

Details of the Detention Incident

According to the crew members of FV Laila-2, on December 9, while fishing within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary, they were intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard, who accused them of fishing in Indian waters. Despite their protests, the crew was detained. The situation took a strange turn when the Indian Coast Guard allegedly left an iPhone on the vessel, asking for it to be returned, which led to the crew's re-detention.

Captain Rahul Biswas of FV Meghna-5 recounted, “We were caught near the maritime boundary by the Indian Coast Guard. Thankfully, due to the tireless efforts of our government, we are free now. Despite being detained, we were provided with adequate food and fuel.”

Reunion and Future Steps

The group arrived in Chattogram late Monday night and were reunited with their families early Tuesday morning. Many shared their stories of hardship and expressed gratitude towards the diplomatic efforts that led to their release.

Captain Zahirul Haque, Eastern Zone Commander of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, commented, “The detainment was based on allegations of illegal fishing within Indian waters. We will conduct a full investigation to clarify the circumstances and prevent such incidents in the future.”

The emotional reunions at the jetty were a moment of immense relief for the families, who had endured weeks of uncertainty. The successful diplomatic resolution underscores the crucial role of cooperation between neighboring countries to resolve such issues and safeguard the welfare of their citizens.

END/ABZ/SMA/