In a development that risks straining already delicate diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, 34 Indian fishermen from West Bengal were arrested by the Bangladesh Navy late Monday night for allegedly crossing into Bangladeshi territorial waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal, near the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans region.

The arrests occurred near Mongla port — a vital maritime hub in southern Bangladesh. According to Bangladeshi naval authorities, the two Indian fishing trawlers — FB Jhar and FB Mangalchandi 38 — entered Bangladeshi waters late at night and were found fishing illegally. A patrol ship reportedly spotted and intercepted the vessels, detaining all fishermen aboard and escorting them to port.
“The arrested fishermen, along with the seized trawlers, were taken to Mongla port. The Fisheries and Shipping Department of Bangladesh has confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated,” said an Indian Coast Guard (ICG) official

Fishermen sailed from Kakdwip

The detained fishermen had departed from Kakdwip in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district. Their families, mostly from Kakdwip and nearby Namkhana, are in deep distress and have been anxiously awaiting updates since the incident occurred.

“I got a call from Bangladesh saying they have been taken to the police station. They said they are fine for now. But I will not get peace until they return home,” said a worried family member of one of the fishermen.

The West Bengal state fisheries department has responded swiftly. Administrative sources confirmed that they are in constant contact with the Indian Embassy in Dhaka to secure the early release of the detained fishermen. Officials are also investigating whether technical failures — especially in GPS navigation systems — might have contributed to the unintentional breach of international waters.

Pattern of recurring maritime incidents

This incident adds to a growing list of similar cases involving fishermen from both nations unknowingly straying across maritime boundaries. Satinath Patra of the Sundarbans Maritime Fishermen Workers Union voiced concern over the frequency of such detentions.

“This has happened before. Just as our trawlers have mistakenly entered their waters, theirs have entered ours. Earlier, these matters were resolved with less tension. This time, more caution and awareness are needed,” he said.
The arrest has once again brought maritime security and border management into the spotlight. Experts and coastal authorities are advocating for better navigational tools, clearer sea demarcations, and consistent bilateral communication to prevent such incidents in the future.

Previous exchange in January

The current crisis follows a similar development in January this year, when India and Bangladesh carried out a coordinated exchange of 185 detained fishermen. At that time, Indian Coast Guard personnel brought back 78 Bangladeshi fishermen to Haldia in Bengal. These individuals had been arrested off the coast of Odisha’s Paradip for similar violations of maritime boundaries.

As diplomatic channels remain engaged, the latest arrest underscores the urgent need for a humane, structured, and technology-driven approach to managing fishing activities near international maritime borders — a concern that affects livelihoods, diplomacy, and regional stability alike.

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