128 fishermen return from India under prisoner exchange deal

A total of 128 Bangladeshi fishermen have returned from India, while 23 Indian fishermen have been handed over to India under the Bangladesh-India prisoner exchange deal.

They were handed over to their families after being brought to the Coast Guard West Zone headquarters in Mongla on January 30.

Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said the Bangladesh Navy detained 23 Indian fishermen along with two fishing boats while they were fishing illegally in Bangladesh waters on October 18 and October 23 last year.

Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard detained 128 Bangladeshi fishermen along with five fishing boats on November 16, November 17, November 19 and November 30 last year on allegations of fishing in Indian waters. Later, the exchange of detained fishermen was decided through bilateral efforts of the foreign ministry.

He also said 23 Indian fishermen along with two fishing boats were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard a day earlier, while Bangladesh Coast Guard received 128 Bangladeshi fishermen along with five fishing boats from India.