The Indian media outlet The Telegraph reported on Tuesday, December 31, that Bangladesh has recently withdrawn cases filed against 95 Indian fishermen, signaling a mutual agreement between the two neighboring nations.
A source confirmed that the decision came after bilateral discussions between the governments of Bangladesh and India. As part of this agreement, Bangladesh is set to release 95 Indian fishermen, while India will free 90 Bangladeshi fishermen.
The Indian Coast Guard detained 78 Bangladeshi fishermen and a trawler in the Bay of Bengal on December 9. Prior to this, 12 other Bangladeshi fishermen were already imprisoned in India.
On December 26, the Deputy Secretary of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official order to withdraw the cases against the Indian fishermen, according to the report.
Sathinath Patra, secretary of India’s Sundarbans Samudrik Matsajibi Sramik Union, expressed relief over the decision:
“We have received a copy of the order issued by the Bangladesh government, where all the cases filed against our fishermen have been withdrawn, and they have been sent back to India. This is a relief for us because these poor fishermen have been in jail in Bangladesh since last October.”
Patra further noted that Bangladesh would also release the fishermen's trawlers, adding, “We hope they will return home in the new year.” He also mentioned that an Indian delegation is expected to visit Bangladesh to oversee the process.
The situation stems from October, when Bangladesh detained 64 Indian fishermen from Bagerhat, followed by 31 more from Patuakhali. Since their arrests, the fishermen—many of whom are residents of North 24 Parganas—have been held in Bangladeshi jails.
As Bangladesh initiated the release process, India reciprocated by beginning procedures to return detained Bangladeshi fishermen. However, allegations have emerged claiming that some of the Bangladeshi fishermen arrested by the Indian Coast Guard on December 9 were apprehended while fishing within Bangladeshi waters.
A court in India has already cleared 12 Bangladeshi fishermen for release, though they remain under the Kakdwip administration until further instructions.
An Indian Coast Guard official hinted at a potential prisoner exchange in the Bay of Bengal, which would include the release of detained trawlers from both sides. While the exact date for the exchange has not been finalized, it is expected to occur soon.
Under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration, detained Indian fishermen were swiftly returned to India. However, following the recent change in government, Bangladesh has altered its approach, signaling a new stance on such detentions.
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