BSS-65 25 freed Bangladeshi fishermen return from India

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BSS-65

BANGLADESH-INDIA-FISHERMEN

25 freed Bangladeshi fishermen return from India

DHAKA, Sept 2, 2020 (BSS) – Twenty-five Bangladeshi fishermen, who were detained in India for four months, returned home today following a series of diplomatic engagement of Bangladesh with India.

Foreign ministry, Bangladesh High Commission New Delhi and Bangladesh Assistant High Commission Guwahati, through continuous diplomatic engagement with the Indian central as well as Assam state governments, finally arranged to bring back these Bangladeshi nationals, a foreign office official told BSS.

During the recent visit of Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Dhaka also raised the issue while Indian side assured that the Bangladeshi fishermen would be able to return home soon.

In the bilateral meeting, Bangladesh foreign minister Masud Bin Momen requested his Indian counterpart for the early release of the 25 Bangladeshi fishermen, who were in custody in Dhubri district of Assam.

The Indian immigration authority handed over the Bangladeshi fishermen, who are from Kurigram district, to Burimari immigration authority of Lalmonirhat district this evening, BSS local correspondent reported.

On May 3, the police in Dhubri district of the Indian Northeastern state arrested 26 Bangladeshi nationals when they were on their way home with valid Bangladeshi passports amid lockdown.

On Aug 29, a court in Assam’s Dhubri district has ordered the release of 25 Bangladeshi nationals while one of 26 detained fishermen died in prison on July 1.

BSS/TA/RY/21:32hrs