DhakaTribune, October 16, 2024

The Bangladesh Navy has detained two Indian trawlers and 31fishermen for trespassing into the country’s waters.

Local fishermen have long complained about illegal entriesby Indian fishermen during the fishing ban, which often leads to a depletion oftheir catch.

The vessels were detained on Tuesday afternoon by theBangladesh Navy's warship BNS Shaheed Akhtaruddin during a routine patrol inthe Bay of Bengal, near Kuakata.

The detained fishermen hail from various villages in India's24 Parganas district.

On Wednesday at 10am, Lieutenant Commander Mosiul Islam,Commanding Officer of BNS Shaheed Akhtaruddin, confirmed the incident at apress conference at the Payra Port jetty area.

"The detained fishermen have been handed over toKalapara Police Station. Legal procedures are being followed," he said.

However, the Navy did not release the names or photographsof the detained fishermen.

The government has imposed a 22-day fishing ban, fromSeptember 13 to November 3, to protect mother ilish.