Kolkata : Officials arrested thirteen Bangladeshi fishermen in Bengal’s Sunderbans and seized their boat after finding them fishing illegally in Indian waters. The arrests come amid heightened vigilance to prevent cross-border fishing violations.
The state handed the fishermen over to coast police authorities earlier this week.
Following the arrests, central and state coastal security agencies increased patrolling and surveillance along the border with Bangladesh, particularly in the sensitive Sundarbans region across South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts.
The Indian Coast Guard described it as a swift ‘Mission Maritime Security’ operation on X, stating: “We apprehended one Bangladeshi fishing boat for illegal fishing activities in Indian waters. The Coast Guard handed the boat over to Marine Police, Frazerganj for legal proceedings. This apprehension reflects our commitment to safeguarding India’s maritime borders.”
State police sources confirmed that both central agencies like the Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force, and state coastal police stations have intensified patrols in the Sundarbans. They focus on narrow creeks between remote islands, which illegal fishermen often use to cross international waters.
Security agencies have identified vulnerable islands, particularly the 13 islands in the Gosaba block, where security arrangements remain minimal due to their remote locations. The Border Security Force maintains a camp on just one of these islands, which fishermen often use as temporary shelters while venturing into deep seas.
The arrested fishermen are residents of Purba Chandipur in Bagerhat district, Bangladesh, with some from Pirojpur and Zianagar. Authorities will produce them before the Kakdwip Subdistrict Court on Thursday and seek custody for further investigation.
Due to the porous, riverine border between India and Bangladesh, fishermen often enter Indian waters. Both central and state agencies continue to monitor these movements closely.
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