Tension along the India-Bangladesh maritime boundary escalated once again after the Indian Coast Guard arrested 13 Bangladeshi fishermen on Wednesday for allegedly crossing into Indian waters. The fishermen were detained along with their trawler Mayer Daya off the Bengal coast.

With the latest operation, the number of Bangladeshi fishermen arrested in the past five days has risen to 31. The Coast Guard has also seized two trawlers during this period. Officials in Kolkata confirmed that the detentions were carried out for crossing the international maritime border.

Trapped near the Sundarbans

According to sources, the Coast Guard intercepted Mayer Daya near the Sundarbans and later escorted it to the Fraserganj coast in South 24 Parganas. The fishermen were then handed over to the Fraserganj Coastal Police Station.

“The interrogation is underway to determine whether they are genuine fishermen or had entered Indian waters for other purposes,” a Coast Guard official said.

The arrested individuals are residents of Purva Chandipur in Bangladesh’s Bagerhat district, while others belong to Firozpur and Jianagar villages. Police have initiated legal proceedings, and the accused are expected to be produced before the Kakdwip sub-divisional court on Thursday.

Past incidents across border

This arrest echoes similar incidents in the past involving fishermen from both sides of the border. In July last year, the Bangladesh Navy detained 34 Indian fishermen along with two trawlers—FB Chhal and FB Mangal Chandi 1—from the Bangipo sea near Mohalla port, claiming they had intruded into Bangladeshi waters at night.

In recent months, multiple arrests of Indian and Bangladeshi fishermen have been reported along the maritime boundary, turning fishing disputes into a recurring flashpoint. Security officials acknowledge that these incidents reflect the fragile nature of India-Bangladesh relations in the Sundarbans belt, where livelihoods and territorial claims frequently collide.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share