Bangladesh arrests 48 Indian fishermen, impounds three boats

Bangladesh Navy has arrested 48 Indian fishermen, including 14 on Saturday (August 2, 2025) night, who strayed into Bangladeshi waters over the past 20 days. It has also impounded three trawlers. All the fishermen are from the Kwakdip area of the Sunderbans in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district.

While on July 13, two trawlers – FB Jhar and FB Mangalchandi – were impounded, the third boat – Paromita – was detained on Saturday (August 2, 2025) night. 

The District Magistrate of South 24 Parganas, Sumit Gupta, said the administration has informed the Union Home Department about the arrest of the fishermen. “It (repatriation) is not in the local authority’s jurisdiction. Since this is a matter of international relations, the Home Department is looking into it,” Mr. Gupta told The Hindu.

Visuals shared by local media showed the fishermen in custody of Bangladeshi authorities, with their wrists tied to their waists with ropes.

All Bengal Fishermen Association member Joy Krishna Haldar slammed the arrested fishermen and demanded “strict punishment” for them. “We have decided that no one should venture out beyond the maritime borders even if we do not catch any fish and come back empty-handed and starve,” Mr. Haldar, who is also from Kwakdip, told The Hindu on Monday (August 4, 2025). 

Also read: Lost song of the Sundarbans’ fisherfolk

“This has become an annual problem. Why do they go beyond the maritime boundary when they know the consequences? This looks deliberate,” he added.

Mr. Haldar said fishermen become “greedy” and stray into the Bangladeshi waters in hope of a better catch, especially the Hilsa. Fish from Bangladeshi waters commands a premium in West Bengal, he added. He said that the association has decided to sever ties with the detained fishermen.

Last year, 95 fishermen released by Bangladesh were felicitated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Sagar Island. India also repatriated 90 Bangladeshi fishermen detained in Indian waters. While India returned two trawlers belonging to Bangladeshi fishermen, six Indian vessels were returned by the neighbouring country in the exchange held near the International Maritime Boundary Line.