95 Indian fishermen repatriated from Bangladesh as 90 Bangladeshis returned

Kolkata: In a mutual exchange of fishermen, coordinated between Indian Coast Guard and Bangladesh Coast Guard, ICG Ship Varad and Amrit Kaur successfully repatriated 95 fishermen along with four Indian fishing boats while handing over 90 Bangladeshi fishermen including 12 rescued from sunken fishing boat “Kaushik” on Sunday, as per an official statement.

At least 95 Indian fishermen is being handed over to India from Bangladesh, people in the know said. This is a significant development amid the ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh. The process of handover has been approved by MEA and it is underway.

Indian Coast Guard said in a X Handle post, "In a mutual exchange of fishermen coordinated between @IndiaCoastGuard & #BangladeshCoastGuard, #ICG Ships Varad & Amrit Kaur repatriated 95 Indian fishermen & 4 fishing boats, and handed over 90 Bangladeshi fishermen, including 12 rescued from the sunken boat “Kaushik.” #MaritimeCollaboration.


"The process of transfer is underway. Around 90 fishermen from Bangladesh was handed over to Bangladesh," sources told ET.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had raised demands over the process of transfer of the fishermen.

The Coast Guard has confirmed the transfer of fishermen. MEA had approved the process of transfer and the process was initiated following that, sources told ET.