Indian Coast Guard detain 79 Bangladeshi fishermen
The Indian Coast Guard reportedly apprehended two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers along with 79 crew members and fishermen.
The owning firms of the trawlers, FV Meghna 5 and FV Layla 2, claimed that their vessels were apprehended while fishing near the Sundarbans in Bangladeshi waters around 11:00am on Monday.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Commodore Maksud Alam, director general of the Department of Shipping (DoS), said that they are verifying whether the trawlers had crossed the maritime border mistakenly.
He added that the Bangladesh Coast Guard is in communication with their Indian counterparts regarding the matter.
Abid Hussain, office secretary of the Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Association, also claimed that the trawlers were fishing in Bangladeshi waters when they were apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard.
The two vessels are owned by C&A Agro Ltd. and SR Fishing Ltd. Both firms have submitted letters to the Marine Fisheries Office in Chattogram, requesting steps to ensure the release of the trawlers and their crew.
Md Abdus Sattar, director of the Marine Fisheries Office, Chattogram, confirmed receipt of the letters.
He said that a meeting involving relevant authorities will be held this afternoon to address the issue.
Comments