ICG repatriates 47 Indian fishermen; 32 Bangladeshi fishermen released in return

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully carried out the repatriation of 47 Indian fishermen from Bangladesh on Tuesday.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

An official said that three Indian fishing boats that had been seized by Bangladeshi authorities were also brought back.

He said that the repatriation had been approved by the Ministry of External Affairs, and the operation was coordinated by the ICG, which kept in contact with the West Bengal government.

"The repatriation process was part of a reciprocal arrangement, wherein India also released 32 Bangladeshi fishermen along with a Bangladesh fishing boat. These fishermen and the boat were apprehended by the ICG for illegal fishing within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Bangladeshi fishermen were safely handed over to the Bangladesh Coast Guard ships BCGS Kamaruzzaman and Sadhin Bangla by the Indian Coast Guard Ship Vijaya," a senior official said.