Bangladesh today conveyed its complete shock and displeasure at the baseless comments and false claims of mistreatment, including physical assaults, made by Bangladeshi authorities against the Indian fishermen who were held.
“Bangladesh firmly rejects such unfounded allegations, which undermines the spirit of trust, goodwill and mutual respect between Bangladesh and India,” said the foreign ministry here in a media statement.
The foreign ministry said that the matter was thoroughly investigated and it was found that no such ill treatment or incident of physical abuse happened.
“Concerned authorities of Bangladesh have confirmed that, under no circumstances, were the detained fishermen physically abused,” read the media statement.
It stated that Bangladesh wanted to draw attention to the fact that the 95 Indian fishermen and crew members who were captured received proper treatment while they were in Bangladesh.
The representatives of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka visited the fishermen while they were being held, and they were properly provided consular access in accordance with international standards.
The Indian diplomatic missions’ representatives were also present when Indian fisherman were released from prisons on January 2, 2025, and when they left Mongla on January 4, 2025.
The relevant hospitals completed the health screenings of all Indian fishermen, confirming that they were medically fit.
Authorities from the Bangladesh Coast Guard provided all the assistance and supplies they needed as they traveled approached the maritime border.
The fishermen’s reciprocal repatriation procedure demonstrates the Bangladeshi government’s dedication to working cooperatively and peacefully with the Indian government to resolve humanitarian difficulties.
Bangladesh urges all sides to refrain from making baseless accusations that erode the two nations’ cooperative and respectful relationship.
The reciprocal repatriation of 90 Bangladeshi fishermen and crews detained in India and 95 Indian fishermen and crews detained in Bangladesh was successfully completed in the afternoon of January 5 last near the International Maritime Boundary Line.
In presence of the representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Fisheries, and Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Coast Guard received 90 Bangladeshi fishermen and crew members and handed over 95 Indian fishermen and crew members to the Indian Coast Guard.
Simultaneously, the exchange of detained vessels was also completed, two Bangladeshi fishing vessels, “FV Laila-2” and “FV Meghna-5”, were returned to Bangladesh, while six Indian fishing boats were returned to India.
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