VISAKHAPATNAM: Nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh were among the 23 Indian nationals released from the Bagerhat Jail in Bangladesh on Tuesday.
The fishermen were apprehended in October last year for inadvertently crossing into Bangladesh’s territorial waters while fishing.
Vasupalli Janakiram, president of East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India, said the documentation process for the fishermen’s release was completed with the involvement of senior officials.
“After completing the formalities, the fishermen were shifted under security to Mongla Port, where they were taken to their boats, now under the custody of the Mongla Police Station.
Repair works of the seized vessels are underway, and will be completed shortly, following which arrangements will be made for their return to India,” Janakiram told TNIE.
Fishers freed from Bangla jail to reach Vizag soon
After reaching Mongla Port, the nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh spoke with their families over the phone. Assuring the fishermen families, Janakiram said they are safe, and are expected to reach Visakhapatnam within four to five days, and asked the families to remain reassured until their return.
As per the pre-decided schedule, the fishermen will be repatriated by January 29 through the standard exchange mechanism between the Bangladesh and Indian Coast Guard in international waters, in accordance with bilateral diplomatic procedures.
Mohammad Afiz Al Asad, Deputy Secretary of the Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs, and Chandrajeet, representing the Assistant High Commission of India in Khulna, along with officials of the Indian High Commission and district administration, were present during the process.