90 Bangladeshi, 95 Indian fishermen freed

A total of 95 Indian fishermen detained in Bangladesh and 90 Bangladeshi fishermen detained in India have been freed. 

The process of reciprocal repatriation of fishermen in each other's custody came amid strained ties between the two countries.

The exchange of the fishermen was coordinated by the Indian Coast Guard and the Bangladesh Coast Guard. 

“Indian fishermen were handed over to West Bengal State fisheries authorities at South 24 Parganas post repatriation from Bangladesh,” the Indian Coast Guard said in the readout.

In recent months, several Indian fishermen have been arrested by Bangladesh authorities when they happened to inadvertently cross the International Maritime Boundary Line and entered Bangladesh waters, it said.

Several Bangladesh fishermen have also been apprehended by Indian authorities in similar circumstances.

Near the international maritime boundary, a total of 78 Bangladeshi fishermen and crews aboard two fishing vessels, FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5 were detained by Indian authorities on December 9 last. A total of 12 Bangladeshi fishermen were also rescued in Kakdwip in West Bengal. 

Source: India Today