Sagar Island:
In a significant gesture of support and relief, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to felicitate 95 Indian fishermen who were recently released from a prison in Bangladesh. The fishermen, arrested between October and November for inadvertently crossing into Bangladesh’s waters, are being welcomed back home as part of the preparations for the annual Gangasagar Mela on Sagar Island. This event underscores the state government’s tireless efforts to ensure the safe return of its citizens and address the humanitarian and livelihood concerns of the fishing communities.
On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit Sagar Island in the South 24 Parganas district to oversee the preparations for the Gangasagar Mela. During her visit, she will personally honor the 95 fishermen from West Bengal who have been freed from Bangladeshi custody. Most of these fishermen hail from Kakdwip, with some from Namkhana in the same district.
The district administration has meticulously prepared for the felicitation ceremony, setting up a stage near the helipad in Sagar Island where the fishermen arrived on Sunday evening. There is a strong likelihood that each fisherman will receive compensation, including Rs 10,000 and a shawl, as a token of the state government’s support.
The release of the fishermen is part of a reciprocal repatriation agreement between India and Bangladesh. On Sunday, 95 Indian fishermen were handed over by the Bangladesh Coast Guard to the Indian Coast Guard, while India released 90 Bangladeshi fishermen. This exchange took place in the middle of the Bay of Bengal near the International Maritime Boundary Line, reflecting the mutual commitment to resolving such issues with a focus on humanitarian and livelihood concerns.
The return of the fishermen has brought immense joy to their families and highlights the collaborative efforts between the two countries to manage border crossings and protect the rights of fishing communities. As Mamata Banerjee greets the fishermen, her presence will reinforce the state government’s commitment to their welfare and the broader diplomatic efforts to maintain harmonious relations between India and Bangladesh.
