31 Indian fishermen detained for illegal fishing in Bangladesh waters
Lt Md Mosiul Islam, commanding officer of BNS Shaheed Akhtar Uddin, announced in a press briefing at Payra Port today (16 October) that the foreign vessels were detected on radar and captured after a chase
The Bangladesh Navy has detained 31 Indian fishermen, along with two fishing trawlers, for illegally entering Bangladesh's waters during the ongoing 22-day fishing ban aimed at protecting marine resources.
Lt Md Mosiul Islam, commanding officer of BNS Shaheed Akhtar Uddin, announced in a press briefing at Payra Port today (16 October) that the foreign vessels were detected on radar and captured after a chase.
He said during routine patrolling on 14 October, the Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Shaheed Akhtar Uddin detected suspicious trawlers on radar.
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Upon analysing the data, the vessels were identified as foreign-flagged fishing trawlers.
When the trawlers attempted to flee, BNS Shaheed Akhtar Uddin pursued and detained them within Bangladesh's maritime boundary.
Both vessels were Indian-flagged, carrying a total of 31 Indian nationals. Those were taken to Patuakhali, and the trawlers and fishermen were handed over to Kolapara police for legal action.
Kolapara senior fisheries officer Apu Saha confirmed the arrests and said charges will be filed.
