A Bangladeshi naval vessel attacked a fishing trawler from West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas in Indian waters in the Bay of Bengal. The trawler, named ‘FB Paromita – 11’, sank late Sunday night along with 16 Indian fishermen after being struck by the Bangladeshi naval vessel. Five Indian fishermen are missing following the incident.
According to sources, there were 16 fishermen on board the FB Paromita. After the accident, another Indian fishing trawler from Kakdwip, which was nearby, rescued 11 of them. The trawler had set sail from Namkhana on December 13 to fish in the sea. While fishing near the international maritime boundary, they were attacked by the Bangladeshi Navy. In the darkness, the Bangladeshi naval vessel entered Indian waters and rammed the Indian fishing trawler.
Some of the rescued fishermen allege that the Bangladeshi naval vessel entered Indian waters with its lights off in the dead of night. Questions are being raised about their actions. However, some Bangladeshi media outlets claim that the Indian fishing trawler had crossed the international maritime boundary and entered Bangladeshi waters. But in that case, the question comes that why the Bangladeshi naval vessel hastily left the area without rescuing or arresting the fishermen from the sunken trawler. The Indian Coast Guard and local police have launched an investigation into the entire incident.
47 fishermen released from Bangladeshi jails return to India, 32 Bangladeshis sent back
Earlier this month, 47 Indian fishermen who were in Bangladeshi jails were released and returned to India. Meanwhile, 37 Bangladeshi fishermen who were in Indian jails were sent back to their country. The fishermen were handed over to the coast guard of both countries. These prisoners were repatriated to their respective countries based on discussions between the High Commissions of both countries. Meanwhile, three trawlers named ‘FB Maa Mangalchandi-38’, ‘FB Jhawr’, and ‘FB Paromita’ have also been returned. Of the 48 Indians on board these three trawlers, one died while awaiting trial. The remaining 47 returned to India.
Bangladeshi trawler detained in Bay of Bengal, 15 fishermen arrested for maritime trespass
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) earlier this month detained a Bangladeshi fishing trawler in the Bay of Bengal and arrested 15 fishermen for allegedly entering Indian territorial waters. The incident added to a growing list of cross-border fishing violations reported in recent weeks. According to Coast Guard officials, a patrol unit detected a suspicious vessel during routine surveillance. When the trawler attempted to move away, an ICG speed boat swiftly intercepted it.
Upon questioning, officers learned that the vessel—identified as FB Alla Malik—had originated from Bangladesh. The trawler was seized, and all 15 crew members were detained. They were transported to Frasergunj port in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal and subsequently handed over to the Frasergunj Coastal Police Station. Police later arrested them under charges of illegal entry into Indian waters.
Recent surge in cross-border arrests
November alone saw several Bangladeshi trawlers intercepted for trespassing, resulting in multiple arrests on both sides of the maritime border. The ICG has increased patrols across the Sundarbans and neighboring coastal zones, reflecting the heightened land-border security measures already in place.
Tensions have remained high since an earlier episode when 62 fishermen from Kakdwip unintentionally drifted into Bangladeshi waters while chasing Hilsa. One of the detained fishermen reportedly died in a Bangladeshi correctional facility, leaving families of the remaining men in West Bengal anxious and distressed.
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