Nine Andhra fishermen return to Vizag after four months in Bangladesh jail

Visakhapatnam: After nearly four months of detention abroad, nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh returned home on Monday following their release from a jail in Bangladesh. The news brought emotional relief to their families and coastal communities, who met the fishermen at the Vizag Harbour in tearful reunions.

Fishermen return after four-month ordeal

The fishermen were detained by the Bangladesh Navy in October last year after they inadvertently crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) while fishing in the Bay of Bengal.

Following diplomatic coordination, the Bangladesh Coast Guard handed them over to the Indian Coast Guard at the IMBL on January 29. Escorted safely to the Visakhapatnam coast, the fishermen were later handed over to the marine police.

Tearful reunion at Visakhapatnam Harbour

Their arrival triggered emotional scenes at the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, where families reunited after months of uncertainty. The fishermen and their relatives thanked both the Central and Andhra Pradesh governments for ensuring their safe return.

To facilitate the operation, two fishing boats from Visakhapatnam carrying 15 crew members sailed mid-sea to receive the released fishermen and bring them back to shore.

The nine fishermen were part of a larger group of 23 Indian fishermen repatriated by Bangladesh authorities. The remaining 14 fishermen belonged to West Bengal. In addition, two Indian fishing boats were also handed over.

In a reciprocal arrangement, the Indian Coast Guard repatriated 128 Bangladeshi fishermen along with five Bangladeshi fishing boats to Bangladesh. The exchange was jointly carried out by the coast guards of both countries at the IMBL in the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladeshi fishermen repatriated from Andhra Pradesh

Among those sent back were 13 Bangladeshi fishermen who had earlier drifted into Indian waters and reached the Andhra Pradesh coast. They were taken into custody by marine police in Srikakulam district on November 30 last year after their boat, running out of fuel and food, reached Musavanipeta in Etcherla mandal.

According to marine police officials, the boat had drifted towards the West Bengal and Odisha coasts before reaching Srikakulam. The fishermen said they had lost their way while fishing and had been starving for nearly 15 days. Residents provided them with food and medicines.

The repatriated Bangladeshi fishermen were later sent back aboard an Indian Naval ship and handed over to the Bangladesh Coast Guard at the international maritime border. Officials said they were also provided new clothes at the direction of Visakhapatnam Collector MN Harindranath.

Union welcomes efforts

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Mechanised Fishing Boats Union president Janakiram Vasupalli thanked S Jaishankar for the diplomatic efforts that ensured the safe return of Indian fishermen.

Officials said such coordinated exchanges highlight the importance of bilateral cooperation to address accidental maritime crossings by fishermen in the Bay of Bengal.