24 Indian fishermen released from Bagerhat jail

Twenty-four Indian fishermen, arrested for illegal entry into Bangladesh maritime boundary in November last year, were released from jail on Monday following a court order.

Bagerhat jail authorities handed them over to officials of the Indian embassy in presence of the representatives of district administration and police.

The fishermen, residents of different areas of South 24 Parganas of West Bengal, will leave for their country from Mongla, said Golam Dastagir, superintendent of Bagerhat district jail.

Members of Bangladesh Navy detained the Indian fishermen along with two trawlers in the Bay of Bengal on charge of intruding into Bangladeshi maritime boundary in two phases in November.

Later, they were handed over to police and sent to jail.

Additional District Magistrate Md Shahinuzzaman said the arrestees were freed from jail following an order from the home ministry after completing all legal procedures.

On January 29, Bangladesh released 63 Indian fishermen from jail who had been arrested in October last year for illegal entry into maritime boundary.