78 Bangladeshis caught in India to be repatriated: Odisha cops

78 Bangladeshis, who were apprehended by coast guard personnel for allegedly entering into Indian territorial waters, will be repatriated to their country, the Odisha Police have confirmed.

The decision was taken after several verifications of the foreigners revealed that they were Bangladeshi fishermen, Paradip Deputy Superintendent of Police Santosh Jena said on Wednesday.

The Bangladeshis were questioned by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the Crime Branch of Odisha Police and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The Indian Coast Guard had brought the fishermen to Paradip and handed them over to local police.

According to the decision, the police will send the Bangladeshis to ICG authorities and they will be handed over to the Bangladesh Coast Guard near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), an official said.

Two arrested Bangladeshis - Rajiv Chandra Sil and R Biswas - said they were “treated properly” by the police and other security personnel in Odisha and were given food.

The Indian Coast Guard apprehended the fishermen and their vessels during a routine patrol on December 10. Two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers, identified as FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5, were intercepted within Indian Maritime Waters, near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The vessels had 41 and 37 crew members, respectively, onboard.

In an official statement, the Indian Coast Guard described the operation as a crucial step towards maintaining maritime security and preventing unauthorised fishing activities in Indian waters. “During a patrol along the IMBL, the Coast Guard ship identified suspicious activity within Indian Maritime Zones and intercepted two Bangladeshi trawlers engaged in illegal fishing operations,” the statement read.

The apprehended fishermen and their trawlers were escorted to Paradip Port, where further investigations were carried out in coordination with local authorities. The police and Coast Guard jointly verified the identities of the fishermen and confirmed that both vessels were registered in Bangladesh.

The authorities are now completing the necessary formalities to ensure the safe repatriation of the fishermen to their home country. This incident underscores the Indian Coast Guard’s commitment to safeguarding India’s maritime boundaries and addressing unauthorised activities within its territorial waters.

(With inputs from agencies)