Latest news with #FBJhor
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Arrest of Indian fishermen lays bare uneasy Delhi-Dhaka ties
For the second time in the past one year, Bangladesh has detained Indian fishermen, official sources said on Saturday (July 19, 2025). The development is being viewed by policymakers as a growing 'absence of understanding' between the two sides against the backdrop of a seemingly uneasy relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi. The latest incident took place during the intervening night of July 14 and 15 when 34 Indian fishermen in two trawlers — FB Jhor and FB Ma Mangal Chandi — were apprehended by Bangladesh authorities near the Mongla port. 'As soon as information about the incident was received, our High Commission in Bangladesh took up the matter with Bangladeshi authorities through diplomatic channels seeking immediate consular access. We are constantly pursuing the matter for facilitating the safe and early return of all the fishermen along with their boats,' said an official dealing with the matter. On October 8, 2009, Bangladesh initiated an arbitration to settle the maritime boundary dispute with India, and, in 2014, a settlement was reached through the Permanent Court of Arbitration. But though the maritime boundary was decided, lack of visible markers meant fishermen often strayed across the agreed line in the Bay of Bengal. India and Bangladesh arrested 185 fishermen in the winter of 2024 as bilateral ties plummeted following the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024. On January 5 this year, these individuals were exchanged when 95 Indian fishermen were handed over by Bangladesh authorities to the Indian Coast Guard. In response, India returned 90 Bangladeshi fishermen on the same day. As a matter of convention, both sides had an understanding that fishermen would have to be protected as they had no means to detect the invisible maritime boundary. Such fishermen who crossed the boundary after the settlement of 2014 would often get detained but as part of an 'unwritten understanding' supported by political leaders on both sides, these individuals would be quickly released as prolonged detention hurts economic prospects of fishermen in this region. However, the incidents of apprehension of fishermen are being interpreted by policymakers as a sign that the earlier 'unwritten understanding' regarding fishermen is no longer being respected. The Hindu was told that Bangladesh is applying the law in a 'stricter' manner which is leading to largescale and prolonged detention of Indian fishermen.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bangladesh apprehends 34 Indian fishermen; high commission seeks their early return
Bangladesh apprehended 34 Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in its territorial waters, following which India has been pressing Dhaka to ensure their safe and early return, official sources said on Friday (July 18, 2025). The fishermen, along with their two fishing trawlers, were apprehended on the intervening night of July 14 and 15, they said. On receiving information about the incident, the Indian high commission in Bangladesh took up the matter with Bangladeshi authorities through diplomatic channels and immediate consular access to the fishermen, the sources said. "We are constantly pursuing the matter for facilitating the safe and early return of all the fishermen along with their boats," one of the sources said. A total of 34 Indian fishermen, along with two of their Indian fishing trawlers — FB Jhor and FB MaMagal Chandi — were apprehended by Bangladesh authorities near Mongla, the sources said. The Bangladeshi authorities accused the Indian nationals of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Bangladeshi territorial waters, they said. The incident comes amid continuing strain in India-Bangladesh relations. There has been a sharp downturn in the ties after deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka and took shelter in India in August last year in the face of a massive anti-government protest.
United News of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
India trying to facilitate safe and early return of 34 Indian fishermen detained by Bangladesh
New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) India is trying to facilitate the safe and early return of 34 Indian fishermen who were taken into custody by the Bangladesh navy for allegedly fishing in Bangladeshi territorial waters earlier this week. According to sources, on the intervening night of July 14-15, 34 Indian fishermen along with two of their Indian fishing trawlers, FB Jhor and FB MaMangalChandi, were apprehended by Bangladesh authorities near Mongla, for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Bangladeshi territorial waters. As soon as information about the incident was received, the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh took up the matter with Bangladeshi authorities through diplomatic channels seeking immediate consular access. 'We are constantly pursuing the matter for facilitating the safe and early return of all the fishermen along with their boats,' the sources added. The vessels, FB Jhor and FB Mangal Chandi-38, were intercepted near the Fairway Buoy area in the deep sea late on Monday. Several species of sea fish were recovered from the trawlers, according to Bangladeshi reports. The 34 men from Kakdwip in West Bengal were produced before a Bangladeshi court, following their detention by the Bangladesh Navy. The West Bengal state government had reached out to the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, requesting diplomatic intervention for the release of the detained fishermen. UNI RN
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Bangladesh detains 34 Indian fishermen for crossing maritime border, New Delhi seeks release
The fishermen and two fishing trawlers named FB Jhor and FB Ma Magal Chandi were apprehended by Bangladeshi authorities on July 14-15 near Mongla port read more Bangladesh has detained 34 fishermen who entered its waters earlier this week. India has now sought consular access for the men who have been charged with crossing the maritime border. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the fishermen and two fishing trawlers named FB Jhor and FB Ma Magal Chandi were apprehended by Bangladeshi authorities on July 14-15 near Mongla port. The fishermen, all residents of West Bengal's Kakdwip, were accused of crossing the international maritime boundary and fishing in Bangladesh's territorial waters. It was not immediately clear where they were being detained. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'As soon as information about the incident was received, our high commission in Dhaka took up the matter with Bangladeshi authorities through diplomatic channels, seeking immediate consular access,' one source told the news outlet. 'We are constantly pursuing the matter for facilitating the safe and early return of all the fishermen along with their boats,' the source added. West Bengal state government, led by the Trinamool Congress, is also taking steps for their repatriation. Every year, numerous Indian fishermen are detained by authorities in Pakistan and Sri Lanka for allegedly crossing maritime boundaries. Most fishing boats in India and neighbouring countries lack modern navigational equipment, making it common for vessels to unintentionally stray across international waters.
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
34 Indian fishermen detained in Bangladesh, India formally raises issue with Dhaka, seeks prompt release
'As soon as information about the incident was received, our High Commission in Bangladesh took up the matter with Bangladeshi authorities through diplomatic channels,' a government source said. Indian officials say the country's High Commission in Dhaka is actively pursuing consular access and pressing for the safe and early return of both the fishermen and their vessels. New Delhi: Days after 34 Indian fishermen were detained by the Bangladesh Navy for allegedly straying into Bangladeshi territorial waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal, the Indian government has formally raised the issue with Dhaka, seeking their prompt release. 'We are constantly pursuing the matter for facilitating the safe and early return of all the fishermen along with their boats,' they further added. The fishermen, all residents of Kakdwip in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, were apprehended late on the night of July 14–15, along with two Indian fishing trawlers, FB Jhor and FB Mangalchandi for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Bangladeshi territorial waters. The vessels were intercepted late yesterday near the Fairway Buoy area in the deep sea and the detained fishermen were then taken to Mongla, Daily Star reported Tuesday. The West Bengal state government is also coordinating with Indian diplomats in Bangladesh in an effort to expedite the release. The arrest underscores ongoing tensions along the maritime boundary between India and Bangladesh, where fishermen on both sides frequently navigate contested or poorly demarcated waters. This is not an isolated incident. In October 2024, 95 Indian fishermen and six trawlers were detained by Bangladeshi authorities and were released only after serving nearly three months in prison. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Day after India's appeal to reconsider demolition, Yunus govt denies Satyajit Ray link to Bangladesh building
