India coast guard detains 79 Bangladeshi fishermen

The India Coast Guard has detained 79 Bangladeshi fishermen along with three boats. They were arrested on charges of fishing illegally inside India’s Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ, according to Indian newspaper The Hindu.

The report said the India Coast Guard detained the Bangladeshi boats and fishermen on November 15 and November 16 from the area along the International Maritime Boundary Line in the northern Bay of Bengal. Indian authorities claimed the Bangladeshi boats were fishing inside India’s waters at the time.

During the operation, none of the fishermen could show valid permission to fish in India’s waters. Fishing gear and freshly caught fish were also found on the boats, which were cited as evidence of illegal fishing.

Later, the three boats and 79 fishermen were taken to Fraserganj in West Bengal and handed over to the marine police. Legal proceedings have begun against them there.