A Bangladeshi fishing trawler along with 28 crew members, including fishermen, has reportedly been detained by the Indian Coast Guard after inadvertently entering Indian waters from Bangladesh’s sea.
According to family members and local sources, the fishing trawler F.B Adib-2, owned by Nazrul Islam of Nazrali Matbarpara, Kutubdia Upazila, set sail from the Molomchor area on the morning of 13 November. Dense fog at sea caused the vessel to lose control, leading it into Indian territorial waters, where it was subsequently intercepted and detained on 20 November.
The detained fishermen are from various unions of Kutubdia Upazila: from South Dhurung Union – Jasim Uddin, Nurul Bashar, Mohammad Shahin, Tarek Muhammad Nowshad, Atikur Rahman, Shahab Uddin, Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Mamunur Rashid, Mohammad Rakib, Mohammad Shahidullah, Nurul Islam, Zobaidul Haque; from Dale Union – Ali Akbar, Zakir Alam, Jahangir Alam, Mohammad Tuhin Alam, Mohammad Mojahed, Shahedul Islam, Mohammad Azizur Rahman; from North Dhurung Union – Hafizur Rahman, Abul Bashar (Lemshikhali), Mohammad Nazem Uddin, Enamul Haq, Mohammad Sharif, Robiul Hasan; and from Kaiyarbil Union – Omar Faruk, Mohammad Rashedul Islam, Aktar Hossain, Nazrul Islam.
Family members report that the crew is currently being held at Narayanpur Kandib police station in India.
Nazrul Islam, the trawler owner, confirmed, “The Indian Coast Guard has detained all 28 crew members. We have submitted a written report to Kutubdia Police regarding the incident.”
Kutubdia Boat Owners’ Association General Secretary Zainal Abedin said the trawler departed on the morning of 13 November and families only learned of the detention on the night of 20 November.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kutubdia Police, Mohammad Arman Hossain, confirmed that a diary entry has been registered at the police station and that further legal action is underway.
This incident highlights the risks faced by Bangladeshi fishermen navigating the Bay of Bengal, especially during foggy conditions, and underscores the importance of coordination between Bangladesh and Indian maritime authorities to ensure the safety and timely return of detained fishermen.
