32 Bangladeshi, 34 Indian fishermen detained after storms push boats across borders: Plea to NHRC

By A Representative 

A human rights organisation has appealed to the National Human Rights Commission over the arrest of 32 Bangladeshi fishermen who were recently detained in Indian waters after being caught in storms at sea. In a memorandum submitted on Friday, Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) and National Convenor of the Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI), urged authorities to ensure the immediate release of these fishermen, along with 34 Indian fishermen held under similar circumstances in Bangladesh.

According to the memorandum, two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers carrying thirteen men drifted into Indian waters in the Bay of Bengal due to stormy winds and heavy rainfall. The vessels were intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard, and the fishermen were later booked at Frazerganj Police Station under Case No. 147 dated September 17, 2025. In a separate incident, another Bangladeshi trawler with nineteen men from Bhola District, Barishal Division, was apprehended by the Sundarban Coastal Police Station and booked under Case No. 245/25 under Section 303(2) BNSS and Section 21 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

The appeal noted that the detained men belong to extremely marginalized communities, are from lower castes, and work as traditional fishermen dependent on a risky and labour-intensive occupation. “These men are clearly not criminals. Yet, due to the harsh realities of nature and lack of support, they have been charged as illegal trespassers and, in some cases, even accused of theft,” the memorandum stated.

MASUM further highlighted that a similar situation occurred in Bangladesh on July 15, when two Indian fishing vessels, FB Jhor and FB Mangalchandi 38, carrying 34 fishermen, crossed into Bangladeshi waters during a severe storm. These men were arrested by Mongla Police Station and are currently imprisoned following trial in Bagerhat Court.

Despite repeated appeals to both governments and their respective high commissions, the memorandum said, no concrete action has been taken to secure the release of these fishermen. It criticised what it described as “bureaucratic apathy” and “insensitive law enforcement,” urging both India and Bangladesh to honour the Memorandum of Understanding on Blue Economy and Maritime Co-operation signed in 2015, which includes a commitment to address inadvertent crossings and ensure early release of fishermen.

MASUM demanded that all 32 Bangladeshi and 34 Indian fishermen currently detained be released without delay, and that both governments establish a rapid-response mechanism to deal with such incidents compassionately. “Peaceful cooperation and mutual respect between our two nations must start with humane treatment of the most vulnerable citizens,” the memorandum concluded.