The Indian Coast Guard took away two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers carrying 79 sailors near the maritime boundary between the two countries on Monday.
The incident reportedly occurred in the Hiron Point area of Khulna within Bangladesh鈥檚 territorial waters, according to vessel owners and the department of shipping.
The apprehended vessels are FV Meghna-5, owned by C&A Agro Limited of Chattogram, and FV Laila-2, owned by SR Fishing.
Ansarul Haque, operations manager of C&A Agro Limited, said that FV Meghna-5 and FV Laila-2 were engaged in deep-sea fishing in Bangladeshi waters. At about 11:00am on the day, the Indian Coast Guard seized both vessels. Communication with the sailors through another trawler confirmed that the vessels were being taken towards Odisha.
When asked whether the trawlers had crossed into Indian waters, he said that their vessels were within Bangladesh鈥檚 maritime boundary. The Indian Coast Guard crossed into their territory and seized them.
Ansarul Haque also confirmed lodging complaints with the Bangladesh coast guard, ministry of fisheries and livestock, ministry of foreign affairs, and other relevant authorities, who have assured full support.
FV Meghna-5 had 37 individuals, including crew and fishermen, onboard, while FV Laila-2 carried 42. Both crews reported being in good condition during communications on Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Commodore Mohammad Maqsud Alam, managing director of the department of shipping, said that the two vessels were seized near Indian waters.
鈥楾he Bangladesh Coast Guard and other government agencies are in contact with Indian authorities, and we are closely monitoring the situation,鈥� he added.
