Paradip: 78 Bangladeshi nationals arrested by Indian Coast Guard to be repatriated

No action will be taken against 78 Bangladeshi nationals arrested by the Indian Coast Guard for entering the Indian territorial waters with two large trawlers.

As per reports, the arrested persons will get off scot-free and they will be repatriated to their country.

The Indian Coast Guard had reportedly brought the arrested Bangladeshi nationals to Paradip and they have been currently kept at Paradip Police Station in Jagatsinghpur district.

It has been learnt that Paradip Police will hand over the Bangladeshi nationals to the Indian Coast Guard and subsequently, they will be handed over to Bangladesh Coast Guard near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

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Following a discussion between Paradip Police and the Indian Coast Guard, it has been decided that the arrested Bangladeshi nationals will be carried to Paradip port by two buses.

As per reports, the Bangladeshi nationals were questioned by the Indian Coast Guard, Crime Branch, CISF and police personnel on Tuesday following their arrest.

The decision about the repatriation of the Bangladeshi nationals was taken following discussions between officials of Bangladesh, the Indian Embassy, Senior Crime Branch officials and police personnel.

Notably, in a significant operation aimed at safeguarding maritime security and upholding national sovereignty, the Indian Coast Guard seized two Bangladeshi fishing vessels operating near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) within the Indian territorial waters on December 9.

As many as 78 persons in the two vessels were found engaged in unauthorized fishing activities, contravening international maritime laws and bilateral agreements.

Subsequently, the two vessels were seized under the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1981 and were escorted to Paradip for further investigation.